bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the value variation of a service system: a Markov-switching model estimation
Authors: Hsieh Yen-Hao , Chen Wei-Ting
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to create a value variation measurement model to define the relationship among various roles in resource management within a service system; and divide value creation into two states (i.e. cocreation and codestruction) and use them as crucial indicators for value variation by adopting the service-dominant logic and using the Markov switching model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposed that variations in value are similar to changes in economy because both are abstract, indefinable and not easy to identify. Therefore, this study used the Markov switching model to define the state of value through value cocreation and codestruction; analyze value variations in a service system; and provide a numerical evaluation method by using the concept of probability to depict state transitions. In addition, open data from the Kaohsiung City Government’s 1999 call center were collected to address the aforementioned research objectives. The 1999 call center (service provider) offers citizens (customers) efficient consultant services to help them solve problems regarding the city government’s affairs or policies. Thus, this call center can be considered a complex service system.

Findings

This study revealed that the call center can utilize the analysis results of the Markov switching model on answer rates to predict service quality patterns. In addition, most first call resolution rates occurred under State 1 (value cocreation). To address problems caused by accidental or rare events, the call center should formulate policies to increase people and technical resources and improve service system effectiveness.

Originality/value

Enterprises currently focus on catering to customers’ needs and offering services through comprehensive service procedures to sustainably generate multiple values for customers, helping them to create values. Previous studies have mostly focused on analyzing the values of a service system and have failed to extensively explore actual value variations. Thus, the value variation measurement model proposed in the present study was able to analyze value variations of a set of call center data and illustrate value variations by using state transitions.
Constructive business advice? Different trajectories between family businesses and startups
Authors: Ljungkvist Torbjörn
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the verbal content and its impact on panel-based business advice meetings (springboards) for family business owners and startup entrepreneurs. Further, the study also investigates how panel-based advising assists entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigated springboards concern family business owners who run established firms and startup entrepreneurs who are applying for venture capital. Data from 12 different springboards are collected and studied by content analysis.

Findings

The outcomes indicate that advising is more constructive for the family business owners than for the startup entrepreneurs. This can mainly be explained by the rational screening that follows the business plan concept and group dynamics which appear in these meetings.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in Sweden and concerns Swedish family business owners and startup entrepreneurs. It reveals different speech patterns that appear during organized advice-giving and its implications depending on the type of entrepreneur.

Practical implications

This study provides potential input to change the institutional practice of panel-based business advice, which will likely support entrepreneurs in their business development and network building.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the verbal content in panel-based business advice for family business owners. Further, it provides a deeper understanding of the institutionalized conditions that this kind of advising builds on.
Behavior of ASTM A325 bolts under simulated fire conditions: experimental investigation
Authors: Shrih Ali , Rahman Adeeb , Mahamid Mustafa
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Heavy hex structural bolts have been used in a wide range of steel structures for many years. However, these structures remain susceptible to fire damage. Conducting fire experiments on full-scale steel structures is costly and requires specialized equipment. The main purpose of this research is to test, analyze and predict the behavior of ASTM A325 bolts under tension loading in simulated fire conditions and develop a reliable finite element model that can predict the response of similar bolts without the need for repeated testing.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental work was conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where an electric furnace was custom-built to test a bolted specimen in tension under elevated temperatures. A transient-state testing method was adopted to perform a group of tests on 12.7 mm (½”) – diameter A325 bolts. The tests were divided into two groups: the first one was used to calibrate the equipment and choose a final testing arrangement and the second group, consisting of four identical tests, was used to validate a finite element model.

Findings

The temperature-displacement and load-displacement response was recorded. The tested bolts exhibited a ductile fracture in which a cup-and-cone shaped failure surface was formed in the threaded section at the root of the nut. ASTM A325 bolts are widely used by engineers in building and bridge construction, the results of this research enable engineers to determine the behavior and strength of ASTM A325 bolts when such bolts when exposed to fire event.

Research limitations/implications

Structural bolts are used to connect structural members, and they are part of structural assembly. To study the behavior of the bolts, the bolts only were investigated in a fire simulated in a furnace. The bolts studied were not part of a structural assembly.

Practical implications

The results of this study enable engineers to evaluate the condition of ASTM A325 bolts when subjected to fire loading.

Originality value

Tests were conducted at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s structures laboratory to study the effect of fire on an ASTM A325 bolts. Many tests under fire loading have been performed by researchers on different components of steel structures, this study focuses on studying the behavior of ASTM A325 bolts which are widely used in the USA.
Solid waste management during monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ibadan municipality Nigeria
Authors: Faniran Gbemiga Bolade , Afon Abel Omoniyi , Dada Olanrewaju Timothy
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the management of solid waste during monthly environmental sanitation exercise in different residential areas of Ibadan municipality, Nigeria. The study also examined how the government performed its responsibility during the exercise. This is expected to assist in improving the conduct of sanitation exercise in one of Africa’s populous indigenous settlement, Ibadan.

Design/methodology/approach

Collection of data for the study was through participant observation, administration of questionnaire, and interview. As a way of participating and observing, the authors were involved in the conduct of the exercise in the different residential areas of Ibadan municipality. Questionnaire was administered on respondents drawn from one of every ten buildings (10 percent) in the study area using systematic sampling technique. A respondent (preferably a household head) was surveyed from a floor of selected residential building. A total of 367 copies of questionnaire were completed and returned for analysis. Information provided in the questionnaire was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Interview was conducted to collect information from the head of environmental sanitation unit in each of the five local government areas of Ibadan municipality.

Findings

The most widely used medium of storing solid waste was the polythene bag, which accounted for 22.8 percent of all the storage receptacles and was employed by 50.4 percent of the residents. Similarly, residents employed a combination of waste disposal methods which included burning, and dumping in the drains, river banks and on vacant plots. Methods of solid waste storage and disposal varied across the different residential areas of Ibadan municipality. It was established that despite the huge amount of money expended on the collection of solid waste during the exercise, only government-owned vans constituted less environmental health hazard.

Practical implications

It would assist in evaluating the success and failure of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. It would also reveal to policy makers’ direction to which policy initiative should focus. Findings of the study could serve as a guide for the management of solid waste from similar exercises in countries of the developing world with similar socio-economic and environmental sanitation practices.

Originality/value

Presented in this paper are results of an investigation into solid waste management during monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ibadan municipality, Nigeria. The study was an attempt at examining the different storage and disposal methods employed by households in the management of solid waste during the exercise. It also revealed what is committed financially into the collection and transportation of solid waste for final disposal during the exercise by government.
The Long‐Term Consequences of Cultural Distance on Migration: Historical Evidence from China
Authors: Li Nan
Published: August 2017

This paper uses a unique dataset of long‐run migration in China to provide new measures of cultural distance based on biological evidence. We utilise this information to examine the effect of cultural distance on migration in China from the Song Dynasty until the twentieth century. Our findings show that culture has strong effects on migration between regions when controlling for other socio‐economic and geographical factors. Population flow is greater where there are fewer cultural differences. This finding not only provides quantitative empirical evidence on linking cultural distance and migration but also leads to a better understanding of the mechanisms resulting in migration for much of China's history.
Exploring the co‐benefits of urban green infrastructure improvements for businesses and workers’ wellbeing
Authors: Cinderby Steve , Bagwell Sue
Published: August 2017

Explorations of the benefits for businesses in terms of customer experience or improvements in staff wellbeing from installing and retro‐fitting green infrastructure (GI) in a European city context have been lacking. This paper reports on a two‐year longitudinal mixed methods study in a district of central London evaluating the changes resulting from the installation of a mixture of greening schemes for different types of business sectors and their staff members. Business managers, particularly from retail and leisure sectors, perceived increases in customer footfall and sales in relation to the improvements. Providing accessible green space in office settings led to improvements in morale, team interaction and workplace satisfaction among staff members able to access the improvements. IncreasedGIwas seen as improving uptake of company environmental policies such as energy saving or recycling among staff by their managers. Impacts of neighbourhoodGIschemes on staff wellbeing were mixed, with increased greening leading to improved self‐reported workplace happiness and greater interaction with nature spaces but not changes in overall measurements of staff wellbeing. Overall, the findings indicate thatGIcould represent a worthwhile investment forUKand European businesses through these combinations of direct and indirect returns adding to the known environmental benefits improving urban green spaces can provide.
Self‐regulated learning from illustrated text: Eye movement modelling to support use and regulation of cognitive processes during learning from multimedia
Authors: Scheiter Katharina , Schubert Carina , Schüler Anne
Published: August 2017

Background

When learning with text and pictures, learners often fail to adequately process the materials, which can be explained as a failure to self‐regulate one's learning by choosing adequate cognitive learning processes. Eye movement modelling examples (EMME) showing how to process multimedia instruction have improved elementary school children's learning from text and pictures in previous studies.

Aims

We tested whether the positive effects of EMME for improving self‐regulated multimedia learning extend to university students and teaching of more comprehensive processing strategies. Moreover, we investigated whether EMME's effectiveness depends upon a learner's cognitive prerequisites.

Sample

Participants were 50 university students (38 female; M = 26.88 years) with different study majors.

Methods

Different prior knowledge aspects were assessed as cognitive prerequisites. Before learning about mitosis from a multimedia instruction, students either received no intervention or saw EMME demonstrating various multimedia learning processes. Learning outcomes and eye movements served as dependent variables.

Results

Learners in the EMME group showed more intense processing of pictures and more frequent transitions between text and pictures. Weaker learners showed poorer recall performance after having studied EMME, whereas EMME had no effect on stronger students. In the forced‐choice verification task, stronger students benefitted from EMME, whereas no effect occurred for weaker students. The picture‐processing time was suited to explain the positive effects of EMME for stronger students.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that EMME illustrating a comprehensive set of cognitive processes support multimedia learning for stronger university students.
cAMP‐dependent post‐translational modification of neuronal nitric oxide synthase neuroprotects penile erection in rats
Authors: Karakus Serkan , Musicki Biljana , La Favor Justin D. , Burnett Arthur L.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To evaluate neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) phosphorylation, nNOS uncoupling, and oxidative stress in the penis and major pelvic ganglia (MPG), before and after the administration of the cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) agonist colforsin in a rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI),which mimics nerve injury after prostatectomy.

Materials and Methods

Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into BCNI and sham‐operated groups. Each group included two subgroups: vehicle and colforsin (0.1 mg/kg/day i.p.). After 3 days, erectile function (intracavernosal pressure) was measured and penis and MPG were collected for molecular analyses of phospho (P)‐nNOS (Ser‐1412 and Ser‐847), total nNOS, nNOS uncoupling, binding of protein inhibitor of nNOS (PIN) to nNOS, gp91phox subunit of NADPH oxidase, active caspase 3, PKA catalytic subunit α (PKA‐Cα; by Western blot) and oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] and superoxide by Western blot and microdialysis method).

Results

Erectile function was decreased 3 days after BCNI and normalized by colforsin. nNOS phosphorylation on both positive (Ser‐1412) and negative (Ser‐847) regulatory sites, and nNOS uncoupling, were increased after BCNI in the penis and MPG, and normalized by colforsin. H2O2 and total reactive oxygen species production were increased in the penis after BCNI and normalized by colforsin. Protein expression of gp91phox was increased in the MPG after BCNI and was normalized by colforsin treatment. Binding of PIN to nNOS was increased in the penis after BCNI and was normalized by colforsin treatment. Protein expression of active Caspase 3 was increased in the MPG after BCNI and was normalized by colforsin treatment. Protein expression of PKA‐Cα was decreased in the penis after BCNI and normalized by colforsin.

Conclusion

Collectively, BCNI impairs nNOS function in the penis and MPG by mechanisms involving its phosphorylation and uncoupling in association with increased oxidative stress, resulting in erectile dysfunction. PKA activation by colforsin reverses these molecular changes and preserves penile erection in the face of BCNI.
Risk of subsequent attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children and adolescents with amalgam restorations: A nationwide longitudinal study
Authors: Lin Po‐Yen , Wang Jui , Chiang Yu‐Chih , Lai Chen‐Yin , Chang Hong‐Ji , Chi Lin‐Yang
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Dental amalgam has been used as a common restorative material since the 1800s, but concerns have been raised regarding its purported neuropsychological effects due to the neurotoxicity of mercury. In this study, a nationwide population‐based database was employed to investigate the association of dental amalgam restoration with the risk of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

After matching, 88 068 young people with at least one tooth restoration during 2002‐2010 and no ADHD history before 2001 were selected and then collected the further information until the end of 2011. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to estimate the possible effect of amalgam restorations on the risk of ADHD during the period of 2002‐2011. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age, sex and number of amalgam restorations.

Results

In total, 2073 people (2.4%) received an ADHD diagnosis during the study period, yielding an incidence rate of 32.4 per 100 000 person‐years. Those who had 6 or more amalgam restorations had a higher risk of future ADHD in the unadjusted Cox proportional hazard regression model (hazard ratio=1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04‐1.38, P=.015) than those who had received composite resin or glass ionomer restorations. However, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, the result was found to be confounded by age.

Conclusions

The univariate analysis results showed that those who had 6 or more amalgam restorations had a 20% higher risk of future ADHD; however, the association disappeared after the model was adjusted for age. Despite this study analysing a larger sample than those analysed in previous studies, no association was observed between young patients’ having received amalgam restorations and a future ADHD diagnosis. Further research aimed at evaluating the association between dental amalgam and other subsequent neuropsychological effects is warranted, especially for people who are vulnerable to mercury exposure.
Social media use in German visceral surgeons: a cross‐sectional study of a national cohort
Authors: Boßelmann C. M. , Griffiths B. , Gallagher H. J. , Matzel K. E. , Brady R. R. W.
Published: August 2017

Aim

Engagement in social media is increasing. Medical professionals have been adapting LinkedIn, a professional networking site, and Twitter, a microblogging service, for a number of uses. This development has been described for a number of medical specialties, but there remains a paucity of European data. A study was undertaken to measure the engagement and activity of German visceral surgeons on social media platforms.

Method

Visceral surgeons were identified from 15 regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen) opt‐in registers. A manual search was subsequently performed across key professional social media platforms. The presence of a profile and key markers of use were recorded.

Results

In total, 575 visceral surgeons were identified. 523 (93%) were men. 183 (31%) surgeons engaged in professional social media. 22 (3.8%) used Twitter, producing a mean of 16.43 tweets with a mean of 7.57 followers. 137 (24%) surgeons had a profile on LinkedIn with a mean of 46.36 connections. Female surgeons were less connected on LinkedIn (P < 0.005). 60 (10%) used Xing, with a mean of 27.95 connections. There were no significant differences in use of social media between surgeons from Eastern and Western Germany (P = 0.262) or male and female surgeons (P = 0.399).

Conclusions

German visceral surgeons are less engaged and less active on social media than previously examined cohorts. Loco‐regional, cultural, demographic and regulatory matters may have a significant influence on uptake. If this surgical cohort wishes to have a wider international presence then education on the potential benefits of these tools may be needed.
Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation test in children
Authors: Burman Janne , Lukkarinen Heikki , Elenius Varpu , Remes Sami , Kuusela Tom , Jartti Tuomas
Published: August 2017

Background

In children, exercise‐induced dyspnea is a common symptom that can be due to dysfunctional breathing. EVH test has bee used especially in elite athletes as bronchoprovocation test. Currently, there are only few studies on the EVH test. New research methods are required alongside the traditionally used tests especially due to dysfunctional breathing disorder.

Purpose

The purpose of the “pilot study” was to study the usability of the EVH test with real time biofeedback in children of 10–16 years of age in the diagnostics of exercise‐induced dyspnea.

Methods

Six 10‐16‐year‐old teenagers with history of exercise‐induced dyspnea and three healthy control subjects were selected for the study. A 6‐minute EVH test with realtime biofeedback was performed on the patients and the diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of clinical findings and spirometry follow‐up either as normal, asthma or dysfunctional breathing.

Results

The study was successful in the patients. In the spirometry follow‐up, three patients had bronchoconstriction (FEV1 decline over 10%), dysfunctional breathing condition was observed in three patients and three control patients experienced no symptoms. Only two DFB‐patients didn't reach the target level of minute ventilation due to a clinical symptom (inspiratory stridor).

Conclusion

The EVH test was successful in the 10‐16‐year‐old children having participated in the study and the test was well tolerated. Through the study, it was possible to provoke both dysfunctional breathing disorder and bronchoconstriction in the symptomatic patients. Based on the pilot study, EVH test seems to be usable in the diagnostics of pediatric exercise‐induced dyspnea but larger studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary findings.
Left atrial phasic function and heart rate variability in patients with systemic sclerosis: A new part of the old puzzle
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Zlatanovic Maja , Cuspidi Cesare , Stevanovic Ana , Kocijancic Vesna , Pavlovic Sinisa U. , Damjanov Nemanja , Celic Vera
Published: August 2017

Objective

We aimed to research left atrial (LA) phasic function and heart rate variability (HRV), as well as their relationship, in subjects with uncomplicated systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

The investigation involved 44 SSc patients and 33 age‐matched healthy controls. All participants underwent clinical examination, serological tests, 24‐hours Holter monitoring, and echocardiographic examination including strain analysis.

Results

Maximum, minimum, and pre‐A LA volumes and volume indices were higher in the SSc patients than in the controls. The total emptying fraction, the parameter of the LA reservoir function, as well as passive LA emptying fraction, which represents the LA conduit function, were significantly lower in the SSc patients compared to the controls. Active LA emptying fraction, the parameter of the LA booster pump function, was significantly higher in the SSc participants. There was no difference in LA reservoir function between the diffuse and the limited SSc form. LA conduit function was significantly decreased, whereas LA booster pump function was compensatory increased in the diffuse SSc form compared to the limited SSc form. Similar results were obtained by LA strain analysis. HRV indices were significantly decreased in the SSc patients. Modified Rodnan skin score, the parameter of skin involvement in SSc, and HRV indices correlated well with LA phasic function in SSc.

Conclusion

Left atrial (LA) phasic function, assessed by both volumetric and strain method, as well as cardiac autonomic nervous function is significantly deteriorated in SSc patients. Skin score and HRV indices correlate with LA phasic function parameters.
The association between performance appraisal systems, work‐related attitudes and academic performance
Authors: Su Sophia , Baird Kevin
Published: August 2017

This study examines the association between Brown et al.’s (2010) four dimensions of the quality of the performance appraisal system (the clarity, communication, fairness and trust) with the work‐related attitudes [job‐related stress, employee organisational commitment (EOC) and propensity to remain] of Australian accounting academics. Furthermore, the study examines the influence of such work‐related attitudes on academic performance in respect to research, teaching and community service. Data were collected from a mail survey distributed to accounting academics within Australian universities. The results indicate that all four dimensions of the quality of the performance appraisal system were associated with work‐related attitudes. Specifically, communication, fairness and clarity were positively associated with the level of EOC, trust was negatively associated with job‐related stress and fairness was positively associated with the propensity to remain. With respect to the effect on academic performance, job‐related stress was found to be negatively associated with research performance, while the level of EOC was positively associated with both teaching and community service. The findings highlight the importance of improving the quality of performance appraisal systems within the Australian higher education sector.
Epigenetic germline inheritance in mammals: looking to the past to understand the future
Authors: Gapp K. , Bohacek J.
Published: August 2017

Life experiences can induce epigenetic changes in mammalian germ cells, which can influence the developmental trajectory of the offspring and impact health and disease across generations. While this concept of epigenetic germline inheritance has long been met with skepticism, evidence in support of this route of information transfer is now overwhelming, and some key mechanisms underlying germline transmission of acquired information are emerging. This review focuses specifically on sperm RNAs as causal vectors of inheritance. We examine how they might become altered in the germline, and how different classes of sperm RNAs might interact with other epimodifications in germ cells or in the zygote. We integrate the latest findings with earlier pioneering work in this field, point out major questions and challenges, and suggest how new experiments could address them.
The Demand for Index-Based Flood Insurance in a High-Income Country
Authors: Achtnicht Martin , Osberghaus Daniel
Published: August 2017

Increased flooding is expected to be one of the greatest threats caused by climate change. Flood insurance helps to cope with the risk of flooding, but take-up rates are relatively low in many places. Mainly in developing countries, index-based flood insurance - where the insurer’s payout is based on pre-agreed weather indices instead of actual loss - has been marketed recently. In this paper, we investigate whether the introduction of index-based flood insurance with relatively low premiums is likely to attract new customers in a high-income country, namely Germany. We use data from a discrete choice experiment combined with damage data for a major flood in 2013. We find index-based flood insurance to attract similar customers as traditional damage-based, while the latter is preferred on average. Our results suggest that not many new customers would enter the market, once index-based flood insurance were available.
Markers of nutritional status and mortality in older adults: The role of anemia and hypoalbuminemia
Authors: Corona Ligiana Pires , de Oliveira Duarte Yeda Aparecida , Lebrão Maria Lúcia
Published: August 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of anemia and hypoalbuminemia on mortality in a 5‐year period.

Methods

This was longitudinal population‐based observational survey part of the Saúde, Bem‐Estar e Envelhecimento study (Health, Well‐being and Aging), carried out with 1256 older adults from the third wave of the cohort, followed for 5 years, when they were contacted for the fourth wave, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Anemia was defined when hemoglobin was <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men, and hypoalbuminemia when serum albumin was <3.5 g/dL. Survival functions were estimated according to nutritional status in four groups: (i) without nutritional alteration; (ii) anemia only; (iii) hypoalbuminemia only; and (iv) anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Hazard ratios were calculated, following the Cox proportional hazards model, controlling for baseline covariates. All analyses considered sample weights, and were carried out using the Stata 12.

Results

After the 5‐year period, 12.3% of the participants died, and 8.2% were lost to follow up. Those who died had lower hemoglobin and albumin concentrations (13.4 g/dL and 3.7 g/dL) compared with survivors (14.3d/dL and 3.9 g/dL; P < 0.001). The crude death rate was 27.6/1000 person‐years for participants in group i, 124.3 in group ii, 116.0 in group iii and 222.8 in group iv (P < 0.001). In the final Cox models, group 2 and 3 had a similar effect (hazard ratio 2.23, P = 0.020; 2.53, P = 0.005; respectively) and group 4 had a higher risk (hazard ratio 3.36; P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Anemia and hypoalbuminemia are important markers for death in older adults, and have an additive effect on mortality. Because they are common and cost‐effective biomarkers, their use should be encouraged in geriatric evaluation for all health professionals and in population settings, such as primary care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 177–182.
Was Sigmund Freud's death hastened?
Authors: Macleod Alastair D. (Sandy)
Published: August 2017

The terminal illness of Sigmund Freud has been considered by many authors to be an example of physician‐enacted euthanasia. A review and a reconsideration of the published literature by Freud's doctors and biographers cast doubt on this opinion. Over his last 48 h, Freud was administered substantial morphine doses to sedate and relieve his pain. However, from a pharmacological perspective, the timing of his death would not be consistent with that of a fatal dose of opioid. Freud died a natural death.
‘To die with dignity’: an update on Palliative Care
Authors: Brennan Frank
Published: August 2017

Significant developments have occurred in the discipline of palliative care in the modern era. This paper shall explore those developments, challenge some widely held misconceptions about the role and daily practice of the discipline, highlight the growing recognition of the role of palliative care in non‐malignant diseases, briefly discuss innovations in symptom management and reflect on the underlying principles, maturation and challenges faced by the discipline.
Cross‐cultural adaptation, reproducibility and validation of the Italian version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS)
Authors: Vercelli Stefano , Ferriero Giorgio , Bravini Elisabetta , Stissi Valeria , Ciceri Matteo , Rossetti Sara , Bianchi Sara , Sartorio Francesco
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) is one of the most robust instruments to assess scar quality, but there is no Italian version, and no other competing instruments are available in Italian. The aim of this study was to translate and validate an Italian version of POSAS (POSAS‐I).

POSASv2.0 was culturally adapted in accordance with international standards. The psychometric assessment included acceptability/feasibility, internal consistency, reproducibility, construct validity and sensitivity to change.

Cultural equivalence of POSAS‐I with the English version was confirmed. The validation study included 102 subjects with surgical scars. Both subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0·72–0·80). Reproducibility of the OSAS‐I (ICCs = 0·93–0·94; SEM = 1·8 points; MDC95 = 5·1 points) was superior to that of PSAS‐I (ICC = 0·65; SEM = 5·7 points; MDC95 = 15·7 points). OSAS‐I showed moderate to good correlations with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Global Rating of Change Scale (GRCS) and PSAS‐I. Sensitivity to change was large for PSAS‐I (effect size = 1·08; standardised response mean = 0·96) and moderate to large for OSAS‐I (ES = 0·69; SRM = 0·92).

This study confirmed that POSAS‐I can be used to assess patients with surgical scars in the Italian population. OSAS‐I is useful for clinical and research purposes, while PSAS‐I should be better used to capture patients' own opinions and symptoms in clinical settings.
How and why patients self‐treat chronic wounds
Authors: Kapp Suzanne , Santamaria Nick
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate how people self‐treat chronic wounds, why they self‐treat and the assistance and support that they receive.

The increasing emphasis on self‐management of chronic conditions, the potential benefits of self‐treatment to the health care consumer and competing demands on health care funding are good reasons to investigate self‐treatment of chronic wounds as we have little data on this group of individuals.

A survey study was conducted in Australia. A non‐random sample of 100 participants was recruited. Participants were aged 18 years or older and currently or previously had a chronic wound that they self‐treated. All participants completed one survey. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics.

The sample was, on average, 64·6 years of age; half was female (n = 50, 50%), and the majority had a lower leg wound (n = 80, 80·0%). The sample scored 33·9/40 on the Generalized Self‐efficacy Scale and 68/100 on the Medical Outcomes Social Support Scale. The majority of the 89 participants who used a wound dressing used a product that targeted bacteria (n = 59, 66.3%). The two most commonly selected reasons for self‐treating were ‘to be independent’ (n = 58, 58·0%) and ‘to do the treatment at a time that suited’ (n = 55, 56·0%). Less than one quarter of participants reported being supervised regularly during the wound episode (n = 22, 22%), and few (n = 6, 6·0%) reported having received education and training to support their self‐treatment.

Self‐treaters of chronic wounds may benefit from standardised education and closer professional supervision to optimise self‐treatment practices. Efforts to improve patient satisfaction with professional care are required to promote a shared‐care model when self‐treating and to optimise patient outcomes.
MMP‐13 deletion decreases profibrogenic molecules and attenuates N‐nitrosodimethylamine‐induced liver injury and fibrosis in mice
Authors: George Joseph , Tsutsumi Mikihiro , Tsuchishima Mutsumi
Published: August 2017

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is involved in inflammation, pathogenesis and progression of liver fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) cleaves CTGF and releases several fragments, which are more potent than the parent molecule to induce fibrosis. The current study was aimed to elucidate the significance of MMP‐13 and CTGF and their downstream effects in liver injury and fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis was induced using intraperitoneal injections of N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in doses of 10 μg/g body weight on three consecutive days of each week over a period of 4 weeks in both wild‐type (WT) and MMP‐13 knockout mice. Administration of NDMA resulted in marked elevation of AST, ALT, TGF‐β1 and hyaluronic acid in the serum and activation of stellate cells, massive necrosis, deposition of collagen fibres and increase in total collagen in the liver of WT mice with a significant decrease in MMP‐13 knockout mice. Protein and mRNA levels of CTGF, TGF‐β1, α‐SMA and type I collagen and the levels of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and cleaved products of CTGF were markedly increased in NDMA‐treated WT mice compared to the MMP‐13 knockout mice. Blocking of MMP‐13 with CL‐82198 in hepatic stellate cell cultures resulted in marked decrease of the staining intensity of CTGF as well as protein levels of full‐length CTGF and its C‐terminal fragments and active TGF‐β1. The data demonstrate that MMP‐13 and CTGF play a crucial role in modulation of fibrogenic mediators and promote hepatic fibrogenesis. Furthermore, the study suggests that blocking of MMP‐13 and CTGF has potential therapeutic implications to arrest liver fibrosis.
Impact of neonatal hypoxia‐ischaemia on oligodendrocyte survival, maturation and myelinating potential
Authors: Ziemka‐Nalecz Malgorzata , Janowska Justyna , Strojek Lukasz , Jaworska Joanna , Zalewska Teresa , Frontczak‐Baniewicz Malgorzata , Sypecka Joanna
Published: August 2017

Hypoxic‐ischaemic episodes experienced at the perinatal period commonly lead to a development of neurological disabilities and cognitive impairments in neonates or later in childhood. Clinical symptoms often are associated with the observed alterations in white matter in the brains of diseased children, suggesting contribution of triggered oligodendrocyte/myelin pathology to the resulting disorders. To date, the processes initiated by perinatal asphyxia remain unclear, hampering the ability to develop preventions. To address the issue, the effects of temporal hypoxia‐ischaemia on survival, proliferation and the myelinating potential of oligodendrocytes were evaluated ex vivo using cultures of hippocampal organotypic slices and in vivo in rat model of perinatal asphyxia. The potential engagement of gelatinases in oligodendrocyte maturation was assessed as well. The results pointed to a significant decrease in the number of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which is compensated for to a certain extent by the increased rate of OPC proliferation. Oligodendrocyte maturation seemed however to be significantly altered. An ultrastructural examination of selected brain regions performed several weeks after the insult showed however that the process of developing central nervous system myelination proceeds efficiently resulting in enwrapping the majority of axons in compact myelin. The increased angiogenesis in response to neonatal hypoxic‐ischaemic insult was also noticed. In conclusion, the study shows that hypoxic‐ischaemic episodes experienced during the most active period of nervous system development might be efficiently compensated for by the oligodendroglial cell response triggered by the insult. The main obstacle seems to be the inflammatory process modulating the local microenvironment.
Unbundling Efficient Breach: An Experiment
Authors: Bigoni Maria , Bortolotti Stefania , Parisi Francesco , Porat Ariel
Published: August 2017

Current law and economics scholarship analyzes efficient breach cases monolithically. The standard analysis holds that breach is efficient when performance of a contract generates a negative total surplus for the parties. However, by simplistically grouping efficient breach cases as of a single kind, the prior literature overlooks that gain‐seeking breaches might be different from loss‐avoiding breaches. To capture these different motives, we designed a novel game called the Contract‐Breach Game where we exogenously varied the reasons for the breach—pursuing a gain or avoiding a loss—under a specific performance remedy. Results from an incentivized laboratory experiment indicate that the motives behind the breach induce sizable differences in behavior; subjects are less willing to renegotiate when facing gain‐seeking than loss‐avoiding breaches, and the compensation premium obtained by the promisee is higher. Our analysis suggests that inequality aversion is an important driver of our results; indeed, inequality‐averse subjects accept low offers more often in cases of loss‐avoiding breaches than gain‐seeking breaches. These results give us insight into the preferences and expectations of ordinary people in a case of a breach.
Evaluating Negative Forensic Evidence: When Do Jurors Treat Absence of Evidence as Evidence of Absence?
Authors: Thompson William C. , Scurich Nicholas , Dioso‐Villa Rachel , Velazquez Brenda
Published: August 2017

Two jury simulation experiments tested participants’ sensitivity to variations in the probative value of a piece of negative forensic evidence: failure to find gunshot residue (GSR) on a defendant alleged to have fired a gun. Experiment 1 found that if no GSR was detected, juries (N = 115) of undergraduates were appropriately less likely to convict a criminal defendant when the probability of detecting GSR was high than when it was low. Participants were unaffected by contextualizing expert testimony that emphasized either the value of the negative evidence for making inductive inferences or that the negative evidence was inconclusive for making deductions. Experiment 2 used a sample of venire jurors (N = 420) and manipulated the probability of detecting GSR (0 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 90 percent, or 100 percent) given that a gun was fired. Consistent with the first experiment, venire jurors were more likely to convict when the probability of detection was 0 percent or 50 percent than when it was 100 percent, but verdicts did not differ between the middle groups. This pattern of results suggests that jurors may evaluate negative evidence according to a fairly crude metric—giving it no weight if the probability of detection is zero, a great deal of weight if the probability of detection is 100 percent, and moderate weight if the probability of detection is somewhere in between.
Reconsidering Positivity Theory: What Roles do Politicization, Ideological Disagreement, and Legal Realism Play in Shaping U.S. Supreme Court Legitimacy?
Authors: Gibson James L. , Nelson Michael J.
Published: August 2017

To what degree is the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court currently at risk? Perhaps the most widely accepted view of how the Supreme Court acquires and maintains its legitimacy is positivity theory, which claims that the legitimizing symbols of judicial authority protect the Court's legitimacy from dissatisfaction with its rulings. Although research has shown that belief in legal realism does not itself threaten the Court's legitimacy, positivity theory suggests that portrayals of the Court as embroiled in politics—that is, as “just another political institution”—can undermine institutional legitimacy. Still, some recent research recognizes that ideological disagreement poses a serious threat to the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. Missing from extant literature is a reconciliation of how these three determinants—ideological dissatisfaction, legal realism, and perceptions of judicial politicization—combine to structure judicial legitimacy. Understanding the difference between perceptions of an “ideological” Court versus a “politicized” Court for institutional legitimacy is our central purpose in this article. We discover that the greatest threats to the Court's legitimacy lie in beliefs that judges are just ordinary politicians (not in ideological dissatisfaction or legal realism). We conclude by drawing out these findings’ implications for the upcoming highly politicized battles over nominations to the high bench.
Using biological–physical modelling for informing sea lice dispersal in Loch Linnhe, Scotland
Authors: Salama N K G , Dale A C , Ivanov V V , Cook P F , Pert C C , Collins C M , Rabe B
Published: August 2017

Sea lice are a constraint on the sustainable growth of Scottish marine salmonid aquaculture. As part of an integrated pest management approach, farms coordinate procedures within spatial units. We present observations of copepodids being at relatively greater density than nauplii in upper waters, which informs the development of surface layer sea lice transmission modelling of Loch Linnhe, Scotland, for informing farm parasite management. A hydrodynamic model is coupled with a biological particle‐tracking model, with characteristics of plankton sea lice. Simulations are undertaken for May and October 2011–2013, forced by local wind data collected for those periods. Particles are continually released from positions representing farm locations, weighted by relative farm counts, over a 2‐week period and tracked for a further 5 days. A comparison is made between modelled relative concentrations against physical and biological surveys to provide confidence in model outputs. Connectivity between farm locations is determined in order to propose potential coordination areas. Generally, connectivity depends on flow patterns in the loch and decreases with increased farm separation. The connectivity indices are used to estimate the origins of the sea lice population composition at each site, which may influence medicinal regimens to avoid loss of efficacy.
Extraction of caffeine and gallic acid from coffee by electrokinetic methods coupled with a hollow‐fiber membrane
Authors: Khajeh Mostafa , Fard Sahar , Bohlooli Mousa , Ghaffari‐Moghaddam Mansour , Khatibi Ali
Published: August 2017

In this study the hollow fiber membrane coupled with electrokinetics was used, for the first time, for extraction and determination of caffeine and gallic acid from coffee prior to high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. Gallic acid (as an acid) and caffeine (as a base) were extracted from coffee at pH 5. In this work, several variables including applied voltage, coffee pH, acceptor phase pH, and extraction time were investigated. Our results showed that the extraction efficiency was increased when the applied voltage and extraction time were increased. The optimum conditions were pH 5 for the coffee, applied voltage of 20 V, and extraction time of 5 h. Gallic acid as an acid and caffeine as a base migrated to anode and cathode, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, gallic acid and caffeine were extracted with extraction efficiency of 21.3 and 23.4%, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions (%) were found to be 7.6 and 4.8%, respectively. Therefore, this set‐up for electrokinetics was potentially considered as a selective and simple preparation method for simultaneous extraction and analysis of basic and acid compounds in various matrices.

Practical applications

This study would benefit for extraction and separation of caffeine and gallic acid from coffee and other naturel samples. In this procedure, the new set‐up for EKE based on two hollow fibers were employed for simultaneous removal of basic and acidic compounds. The EKE is used for extraction of organic compounds from food/soils with low permeability. The practical applications of this procedure have become extensive in a variety of fields, including electrokinetic waste remediation, biomaterials, radionuclides, and organic materials.