bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors and maturity level of entrepreneurial universities in Spain
Authors: Errasti Nekane , Bezanilla María-José , García-Olalla Ana , Auzmendi Elena , Paños Jessica
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The entrepreneurial university is being widely studied, given its importance as an agent in economic and social development. This paper presents the findings of a study that had a twofold objective. First, it sought to establish a model of maturity for the measurement of the level of academic entrepreneurship in universities. Second, it aimed to apply this maturity model to a sufficiently wide and varied sample of faculties to discover their current level of academic entrepreneurship, as well as their differences by area of knowledge, type of university and autonomous region in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed with items grouped into 14 blocks that defined the entrepreneurial university according to the model previously developed. The questionnaire was answered by 84 deans/directors belonging to different faculties/universities from six Spanish regions.

Findings

The findings showed that the Spanish universities stand out in four areas: internationalisation, use of active methodologies, mission and strategy and management team support. However, the legal and administrative context, the funds for entrepreneurship and the training of staff in entrepreneurship are not sufficiently developed. Significant differences were observed between regions but not by type of university or area of knowledge.

Originality/value

The results provide an innovative model that explains the factors that define the entrepreneurial university, as well as guidelines for universities to move forward in developing stages.
From bricks-and-mortar to bricks-and-clicks
Authors: Wollenburg Johannes , Hübner Alexander , Kuhn Heinrich , Trautrims Alexander
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The advent of grocery sales through online channels necessitates that bricks-and-mortar retailers redefine their logistics networks if they want to compete online. Because the general understanding of such bricks-and-clicks logistics systems for grocery is still limited, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the internal logistics networks used to serve customers across channels by means of an exploratory study with retailers from different contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 12 case companies from six European countries participated in this exploratory study. Face-to-face interviews with managers were the primary source for data collection. The heterogeneity of the sample enabled the authors to build a typology of logistics networks in grocery retailing on multiple channels and to understand the advantages of different warehousing, picking, internal transportation and last-mile delivery systems.

Findings

Bricks-and-mortar grocery retailers are leveraging their existing logistics structures to fulfill online orders. Logistics networks are mostly determined by the question of where to split case packs into customer units. In non-food logistics, channel integration is mostly seen as beneficial, but in grocery retailing, this depends heavily on product, market and retailer specifics. The data from the heterogeneous sample reveal six distinct types for cross-channel order fulfillment.

Practical implications

The qualitative analysis of different design options can serve as a decision support for retailers developing logistics networks to serve customers across channels.

Originality/value

The paper shows the internal and external factors that drive the decision-making for omni-channel (OC) logistics networks for previously store-based grocery retailers. Thereby, it makes a step toward building a contingency and configuration theory of retail networks design. It discusses in particular the differences between grocery and non-food OC retailing, last-mile delivery systems and market characteristics in the decision-making of retail networks design.
Motives of mergers and acquisitions by state-owned enterprises
Authors: Florio Massimo , Ferraris Matteo , Vandone Daniela
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper looks at state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from the angle of the market for corporate control and analyzes in detail the reported rationales of a sample of 355 mergers and acquisition (M&A) deals performed by SOEs as acquirers over the period 2002-2012. The purpose of this paper, after having created a taxonomy of deal motivations, is to empirically test two alternative hypotheses: deviation vs convergence of M&A deal rationales between state-owned and private enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set is obtained by combining firm-level information from two sources, Zephyr and Orbis (Bureau Van Dijk). A recursive algorithm is developed to infer the ownership nature of the enterprises at the time the deal took place and then the authors double-checked the identity of the global ultimate owner by visual inspection of all the available information. Motivations are analyzed through a case-by-case analysis and classified into several categories, thereby providing a taxonomy of rationales behind SOE M&As and discussing their differences and similarities relative to private firms.

Findings

More than 60 percent of the deals performed by SOEs as acquirers are driven by “shareholder value maximization” motives, similarly to private enterprise acquirers. The other 40 percent of deals are almost equally spread among three rationales that specifically relate to the role of modern state capitalism in the economy. “Financial distress” motivation, which is the only one clearly deviating from the objectives of profit maximization typical of private ownership, is far less important than the others.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not analyze the case studies in detail. Neither does it correlate the evidence with the quality of corporate governance or the quality of institutions in the country. This would be interesting in order to discover whether the alignment of objectives between public and private enterprises is enhanced by certain features of public sector management, as suggested by the OECD (2015) Guidelines.

Practical implications

The paper suggests some policy implications in terms of reforms of the corporate governance of the SOEs and accountability of their management against clearly stated public missions. It also calls for the need for citizens to be informed in a transparent way about the rationales of major M&A deals when a SOE is on the acquirer side, and the consistency of such rationales with the mission assigned by governments to the enterprises they own. Finally, it underlines that regulatory concerns raised in many countries by the rise of cross-border SOE M&As are in most of the cases unfounded.

Originality/value

Existing literature has mainly focused on private corporate M&A deals or has just disregarded the ownership status of the acquiring firm. This paper focuses on the motivations for SOE deals in order to elaborate a taxonomy of SOE deal rationales and to identify the differences and similarities between private corporate firms.
Challenging popular representations of child trafficking in football
Authors: Esson James , Drywood Eleanor
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Reports of human trafficking within the football industry have become a topic of academic, political and media concern. The movement of and trade in aspirant young (male) footballers from West Africa to Europe, and more recently to Asia, dominates these accounts. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an overview of scholarship on this topic, with a specific focus on exploring how this form of human trafficking intersects with the broader debates over children’s rights in the context of exploitation tied to the irregular forms of migration.

Findings

The paper illustrates how popular narratives associated with the trafficking of young West African footballers mimic stereotypical portrayals of child trafficking, which have implications for the solutions put forward. It is argued that popular representations of football-related child trafficking are problematic for several reasons, but two are emphasised here. First, they perpetuate a perception that the mobility of young African footballers entails a deviant form of agency in need of fixing, while simultaneously disassociating the desire to migrate from the broader social structures that need to be addressed. Second, and relatedly, they result in regulations and policy solutions that are inadvertently reductive and often at odds with the best interests of the children they seek to protect.

Originality/value

This an original study of the narratives associated with the trafficking of young West African footballers and those of child trafficking.
Prediction model of business success or failure for Palestinian small enterprises in the West Bank
Authors: Baidoun Samir D. , Lussier Robert N. , Burbar Maisa , Awashra Sawsan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the factors that lead to success or failure of a small business in the West Bank of Palestine.

Design/methodology/approach

This study methodology is a survey research, testing the Lussier model of business success and failure with a sample of 246 small businesses (90 failed and 156 successful) to better understand the reasons of their success or failure using logistic regression statistical analysis.

Findings

The model is significant (p = 0.000); it will predict a group of businesses as successful or failed more accurately than random guessing 99 per cent of the time. The model will also predict a specific small firm as successful or failed 94 per cent of the time vs. 50 per cent for random guessing. The r-square is very high (r = 0.70), indicating that the model variables are, in fact, significant predictors of success or failure. Results indicate that having adequate capital, keeping good records with financial controls, making plans and getting professional advice on how to manage the firm are the most important factors for the viability and success of small businesses.

Practical implications

With the high rate of small business failure globally, results of this study provide a list of variables that contribute to the success of small firms. Firms that focus on these important factors will increase their odds of success. Thus, avoiding failure, firms better utilize resources that contribute to economic growth.

Originality/value

This is the first study that looks at success and failure of small businesses in Palestine. There is no one single accepted theory that may be applied to small businesses. This paper aims to further contribute to the global validity of Lussier success and failure model moving toward a theory to better understand why some businesses succeed and others fail.
How community event narratives contribute to place branding
Authors: Walters Trudie , Insch Andrea
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To date, the importance of smaller, local community events in the place branding process has been overlooked in the place branding and event studies literature – yet they are recognised as a means of increasing the attractiveness of a place for residents, through building a sense of community and contributing to quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to make clear the contribution of community event narratives to place branding.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted. The public narratives of a portfolio of 14 community events (from event websites, press releases and media discourse, local government strategic policy documents) were examined. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted, and a visual framework for analysing and discussing the findings was created.

Findings

Community event narratives provide a useful resource that could be drawn upon by place branding practitioners to reach potential new residents who share similar ideals as local residents. The findings from this study demonstrate that local community event narratives do indeed tell “stories about who we are”.

Practical implications

This paper has implications for place branding initiatives seeking to attract new residents, particularly where there is a sense of fear and resistance from residents about “outsiders” moving in.

Originality/value

This paper presents an alternative model to the traditional city branding campaigns that seek to attract new residents, in the form of a values-based event-led branding strategy that may be more appropriate and compatible with local stakeholder goals.
Corporate social responsibility influences employee engagement
Authors: Tsourvakas Georgios , Yfantidou Ioanna
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee engagement, motivation and job satisfaction on the staff members of two multinational companies in Greece (Procter & Gamble [P&G] and Unilever).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology in the form of statistical analysis of the results was derived from the responses on an employee engagement questionnaire.

Findings

Findings show that employees are proud to identify themselves with companies that have a caring image. CSR is also positively linked to employee engagement for both companies.

Research limitations/implications

The small size of the sample is a limitation because it leaves no room for generalising the findings. Secondly, although some of the hypotheses were backed by the data, he findings are not strong enough, as the reported correlations are too small.

Practical implications

Practitioners and marketing professionals can benefit from this research by absorbing the fact that employees feel engaged, satisfied and motivated when they play a positive role in the society through their work. As a result, it would be constructive for professionals to plan CSR strategies and involve employees both in planning and execution of those strategies.

Originality/value

Unlike other studies, the authors tried to examine the link between CSR and employee behaviour amid Greece’s financial difficulties.
Corporate social reporting and legitimacy in banking: a longitudinal study in the developing country
Authors: Islam Mohammad Tazul , Kokubu Katsuhiko
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of corporate social (CS) reporting in the developing country’s banking industry from the legitimacy theory perspective – Bangladesh as a case.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the longitudinal aspects and analyzes the content of annual reports using the ISO26000 standard with some country- and industry-specific adjustments as the method of data coding. All Dhaka Stock Exchange-listed banks (30 of 47, 2013) and 282 annual reports with 46 reporting items have been used for data analysis during a 10-year period (2004-2013). A CS reporting index has been constructed for this purpose of analysis.

Findings

The key findings are that the main impetus driving the development of CS reporting was the stakeholder initiatives; the CS reporting index was less than 20 in 2004, and it increased linearly and reached around 60 in 2013 because of the legitimization of the new banking process through social perceptions. This study explains that the contemplation of the legitimacy theory argument can similarly be applied to the developing countries as well as to the banking industry’s context.

Research limitations/implications

The main implication of this study is the extension of the broader thrust of the legitimacy theory argument in the developing country’s banking industry, such as that of Bangladesh.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the documentation of the CS reporting practices of the developing country’s banking industry where there is a lack of published longitudinal studies from the legitimacy theory perspective.
The case for milk protein standardisation using membrane filtration for improving cheese consistency and quality
Authors: Soodam Kevany , Guinee Timothy P
Published: January 2018

Milk composition varies with season owing to stage of lactation and variation in diet and weather. Variation in the concentration of milk protein is conducive to inconsistency in cheese yield, composition and quality especially where standard operating procedures are not objectively standardised with reference to casein content. Milk protein standardisation (e.g. to 4.5%) by low‐concentration factor ultrafiltration (LCFUF) or microfiltration (LCFMF) provides an effective means of obtaining more consistent cheese manufacture. Consequently, LCFUF is now widely practised. The benefits of LCFUF and LCFMF and the effect of key processing parameters on the quality of cheese from protein‐standardised milk are reviewed.
Hyperuricemia in Asian psoriatic arthritis patients
Authors: Lai Tin Lok , Yim Cheuk Wan , Wong Pui Yan , Leung Man Chi , Ng Woon Leung
Published: January 2018

Aim

It is generally accepted that hyperuricemia is commonly associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, variations in ethnicity, diet and habitat may contribute to differences in prevalence and risk factors for hyperuricemia in PsA patients. Moreover, Asian specific data is deficient. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia among PsA patients. The secondary objective was to explore its associated risk factors.

Methods

This was a multi‐center, cross‐sectional observational study of 160 PsA patients from local Rheumatology clinics. Serum uric acid (SUA) level and other clinical parameters were measured and hyperuricemia was defined as SUA level greater or equal to 360 umol/L in females and 420 umol/L in males.

Results

Forty‐nine of 160 patients (30.6%) had hyperuricemia, of which 32 were men, 17 were women. Among those with hyperuricemia, mean SUA level was 500.7 ± 95.9 umol/L and 427.8 ± 83.1 umol/L in males and females, respectively. Univariate analysis found: (i) overweight status; (ii) obesity; (iii) Psoriasis Area and Severity Index; (iv) body surface area; (v) severe skin involvement, as being potentially associated with hyperuricemia. Regression model identified overweight status increased the likelihood of hyperuricemia in PsA, with an odds ratio of 4.4 (95% CI: 2.0–9.5). Furthermore, there was moderately positive correlation (r = 0.37) between body mass index (BMI) and SUA level. No associations were found between arthritis conditions and duration, lipid profile, creatinine clearance; and hyperuricemia.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of PsA patients had asymptomatic hyperuricemia. It was closely related with BMI, which represented metabolic dysregulation; but not with severity of skin disease, joint involvement or renal function.
Dendrochronological analyses and climatic signals of Alchornea triplinervia in subtropical forest of southern Brazil
Authors: Granato‐Souza Daniela , Adenesky‐Filho Eduardo , Barbosa Ana Carolina Maioli Campos , Esemann‐Quadros Karin
Published: January 2018

The predominance of secondary forest‐species in Brazilian subtropical forests highlights the importance of understanding the ecology of these taxa, and dendrochronology provides valuable information about the growth and climate response of tree species. The wide distribution of Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), and the presence of growth rings in its wood, leds to its selection for this study. Samples were collected from 34 trees growing in rainy dense forest fragments in the cities of Blumenau and Brusque, in southern Brazil, and subjected to standard dendrochronological techniques. The local chronology spanned from 1889 to 2013 and the age of the trees ranged from 32 to 125 years. The mean age was 73 years and annual increment was 1.13 mm year−1; the diameter and age showed a weak correlation. The results suggest that A. triplinervia growth responded negatively to hot summers and increased rainfall in the previous spring and winter. The high perdiodicity trend characteristic of ENSO activity was reflected in wavelet power spectra of A. triplinervia chronology, affecting positively its growth after strong ENSO events (1970–2009). Negative influences occurred before 1970 during normal ENSO events. Also, there is evidence of the existence of a connection between Pacific and Atlantic sea surface temperatures influencing on tree growth.
The burden of non‐melanoma skin cancers in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Pondicherry Ashwini , Martin Richard , Meredith Ineke , Rolfe Jack , Emanuel Patrick , Elwood Mark
Published: January 2018

Background/Objectives

As the New Zealand Cancer Registry does not require mandatory reporting of non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), the clinical burden of these diseases is unknown.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients with histopathology performed allowed us to estimate invasive BCC and SCC in the Auckland region in 2008 (population 1.44 million).

Results

During this period, a total of 21 236 NMSC were diagnosed among 13 996 patients, consisting of 5611 SCC lesions (26%) and 15 525 (74%) BCC. The Auckland incidence rates per 100 000 were 425 for SCC and 1177 for BCC. The overall rate of NMSC per 100 000 was 1906.5 (standardised to the census data of Australia 2001); 1385 for BCC and 522 for SCC. Using published data on incidence trends and population growth, we estimate that 29 000–33 000 NMSC would have been excised in Auckland in 2016, and 78 000–87 000 in New Zealand.

Conclusion

Auckland has the highest reported incidence of invasive NMSC in the world. We believe that high‐risk cutaneous SCC and complex BCC should be recorded. Our study provides information for clinicians and health economists on the scale of the problem.
The association between borderline pre‐operative anaemia in women and outcomes after cardiac surgery: a cohort study
Authors: Blaudszun G. , Munting K. E. , Butchart A. , Gerrard C. , Klein A. A.
Published: January 2018

Anaemia is common before cardiac surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of anaemia is lower for women than for men by 10 g.l−1, potentially putting women at a disadvantage compared with men with regard to pre‐operative optimisation. Our hypothesis was that women with borderline anaemia (defined by us as haemoglobin concentration 120–129 g.l−1) would have a higher rate of red cell transfusion, morbidity and mortality than non‐anaemic women (haemoglobin ≥ 130 g.l−1). This retrospective observational study included all adult patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery from January 2013 to April 2016. During the study period, 1388 women underwent cardiac surgery. Pre‐operatively, 333 (24%) had a haemoglobin level < 120 g.l−1; 408 (29%) 120–129 g.l−1; and 647 (47%) ≥ 130 g.l−1. Compared with non‐anaemic women, women with borderline anaemia were more likely to be transfused (68.6% vs. 44.5%; RR 1.5, 95%CI 1.4–1.7; p < 0.0001) and were transfused with more units of red cells, mean (SD) 1.8 (2.8) vs. 1.3 (3.0); p < 0.0001. Hospital length of stay was significantly longer in the borderline anaemia group compared with non‐anaemic women, median (IQR [range]) 8 (6–12 [3–45]) vs. 7 (6–11 [4–60]); p = 0.0159. Short‐ and long‐term postoperative survival was comparable in both groups. Borderline anaemia is associated with increased red cell transfusion and prolonged hospital stay. Future research should address whether correction of borderline anaemia results in improved outcomes.
Effect of palpable vs. impalpable cricothyroid membranes in a simulated emergency front‐of‐neck access scenario
Authors: Pairaudeau C. F. , Mendonca C. , Hillermann C. , Qazi I. , Baker P. A. , Hodgson R. E. , Radhakrishna S.
Published: January 2018

The Difficult Airway Society 2015 guidelines recommend and describe in detail a surgical cricothyroidotomy technique for the can't intubate, can't oxygenate (CICO) scenario, but this can be technically challenging for anaesthetists with no surgical training. Following a structured training session, 104 anaesthetists took part individually in a simulated can't intubate, can't oxygenate event using simulation and airway models to evaluate how well they could perform these front‐of‐neck access techniques. Main outcomes measures were: ability to correctly perform the technical steps; procedural time; and success rate. Outcomes were compared between palpable and impalpable cricothyroid membrane scenarios. Anaesthetists’ technical abilities were good, as assessed by a video analysis checklist score. Mean (SD) procedural time was 44 (16) s and 65 (17) s for the palpable and impalpable cricothyroid membrane models, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). First‐pass tracheal tube placement was obtained in 103 out of the 104 palpable cricothyroidotomies and in 101 out of the 104 impalpable cricothyroidotomies (p = 0.31). We conclude that anaesthetists can be trained to perform surgical front‐of‐neck access to an acceptable level of competence and speed when assessed using a simulator.
Physicians’ perspective on the clinical meaningfulness of inflammatory bowel disease trial results: an International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) survey
Authors: Olivera P. , Sandborn W. J. , Panés J. , Baumann C. , D'Haens G. , Vermeire S. , Danese S. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L.
Published: January 2018

Background

Several novel compounds are being developed for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In addition, biosimilar drugs are being approved. An increasing number of head‐to‐head, superiority and non‐inferiority trials in patients with IBD are expected in the future. The clinical relevance of the magnitude of the effect size is often debated.

Aim

To better understand physicians’ perspectives on the clinical meaningfulness of IBD trial results.

Methods

We conducted an online survey among all IOIBD (International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases) members, asking their opinion on the clinical relevance of the results of IBD trials.

Results

Forty‐six IOIBD members responded to the survey (52.3%). In biologic‐naïve ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients, most of the participants considered a 15% difference with placebo for clinical remission and endoscopic remission to be clinically relevant.

In head‐to‐head trials, most of participants considerer a 10% difference between groups for clinical remission and endoscopic remission to be clinically relevant. Half of respondents considered 10% to be an adequate margin in non‐inferiority trials. In bioequivalence studies, most of the participants considered adequate a ± 5% difference between a biosimilar and the originator for pharmacokinetic parameters, efficacy, safety and immunogenicity. Regarding safety, the difference between two drugs considered clinically relevant varied from 1% to 5%, depending on the type of adverse event.

Conclusions

This is the first survey exploring how physicians perceive IBD trial results, providing an estimation of the magnitude of the difference between treatment arms that may directly influence clinical practice.
Portuguese Blue‐on‐Blue 16th–17th Century Pottery
Authors: Vieira Ferreira L. F. , Ferreira Machado I. , Casimiro T. M. , Pereira M. F. C. , Santos L. F.
Published: January 2018

Blue‐on‐blue (‘berettino’) sherds have appeared in numerous production and consumption archaeological excavations in Lisbon and other archaeological sites in Portugal (dated from the mid‐16th century to the beginning of the 17th century). The abundance of this interesting faience led us to compare it with similar pottery from other well‐known production centres in Italy, namely Liguria (Savona and Albisola), Spain (the Triana kilns) and the Low Countries. Differences in the diffraction patterns of the sherds' pastes from the four countries were observed. In most samples, cobalt blue silicate (cobalt olivine) was identified in the dark blue or light blue glazes through the use of micro‐Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectra. A remarkable difference in the calcite contents of the Lisbon and Seville pottery sherds was observed, in accordance with previous observations of high calcite contents of Seville ceramics. A comparison was also made for all of the blue‐on‐blue sherds studied here with many other 16th–17th century sherds from Lisbon using bivariate plots of K/Si versus Ca/Si. Lisbon and Seville pottery behave very differently, whereas sherds from Italy and the Low Countries occupy intermediate positions.
Drug promotion practices: A review
Authors: Jacob Nilan T.
Published: January 2018

Over the years, the pharmaceutical industry has been at the forefront of research and innovation in drug discovery and development. The process of drug discovery extending from preclinical studies to multicentric clinical trials and postmarketing phase is a costly affair running into billions of dollars. On the flip side, not all investigational molecules clear the trial phases and get approved, which puts pressure on the manufacturers to maximize the profit from approved drugs. It is in this key area that the practice of drug promotion plays its role. The World Health Organization defines drug promotion as “all informational and persuasive activities by manufacturers and distributors, the effect of which is to influence the prescription, supply, purchase or use of medicinal drugs”. With its humble intent of creating awareness among healthcare professionals and updating their knowledge on recent advances in treatment options, drug promotion has been an important tool, but gradually it has evolved to embrace aggressive marketing strategies and sometimes unethical business and scientific practices where the need for profit‐making eclipses commitment to patient care and scientific exploration. In this review, we discuss the evolution of drug promotion practices, the various types, its merits and demerits, the influence of drug promotion on physician prescribing behaviour, the role of regulatory bodies, unethical promotional practices and finally summarize with future directions.
A novel prognostic six‐CpG signature in glioblastomas
Authors: Yin An‐An , Lu Nan , Etcheverry Amandine , Aubry Marc , Barnholtz‐Sloan Jill , Zhang Lu‐Hua , Mosser Jean , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xiang , Liu Yu‐He , He Ya‐Long
Published: January 2018

Aims

We aimed to identify a clinically useful biomarker using DNA methylation‐based information to optimize individual treatment of patients with glioblastoma (GBM).

Methods

A six‐CpG panel was identified by incorporating genome‐wide DNA methylation data and clinical information of three distinct discovery sets and was combined using a risk‐score model. Different validation sets of GBMs and lower‐grade gliomas and different statistical methods were implemented for prognostic evaluation. An integrative analysis of multidimensional TCGA data was performed to molecularly characterize different risk tumors.

Results

The six‐CpG risk‐score signature robustly predicted overall survival (OS) in all discovery and validation cohorts and in a treatment‐independent manner. It also predicted progression‐free survival (PFS) in available patients. The multimarker epigenetic signature was demonstrated as an independent prognosticator and had better performance than known molecular indicators such as glioma‐CpG island methylator phenotype (G‐CIMP) and proneural subtype. The defined risk subgroups were molecularly distinct; high‐risk tumors were biologically more aggressive with concordant activation of proangiogenic signaling at multimolecular levels. Accordingly, we observed better OS benefits of bevacizumab‐contained therapy to high‐risk patients in independent sets, supporting its implication in guiding usage of antiangiogenic therapy. Finally, the six‐CpG signature refined the risk classification based on G‐CIMP and MGMT methylation status.

Conclusions

The novel six‐CpG signature is a robust and independent prognostic indicator for GBMs and is of promising value to improve personalized management.
Implementation of Standardized Clinical Processes for TPMT Testing in a Diverse Multidisciplinary Population: Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Weitzel Kristin W. , Smith D. Max , Elsey Amanda R. , Duong Benjamin Q. , Burkley Benjamin , Clare‐Salzler Michael , Gong Yan , Higgins Tara A. , Kong Benjamin , Langaee Taimour , McDonough Caitrin W. , Staley Benjamin J. , Vo Teresa T. , Wake Dyson T. , Cavallari Larisa H. , Johnson Julie A.
Published: January 2018

Although thiopurine S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) genotyping to guide thiopurine dosing is common in the pediatric cancer population, limited data exist on TPMT testing implementation in diverse, multidisciplinary settings. We established TPMT testing (genotype and enzyme) with clinical decision support, provider/patient education, and pharmacist consultations in a tertiary medical center and collected data over 3 years. During this time, 834 patients underwent 873 TPMT tests (147 (17%) genotype, 726 (83%) enzyme). TPMT tests were most commonly ordered for gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, and hematology/oncology patients (661 of 834 patients (79.2%); 580 outpatient vs. 293 inpatient; P < 0.0001). Thirty‐nine patients had both genotype and enzyme tests (n = 2 discordant results). We observed significant differences between TPMT test use and characteristics in a diverse, multispecialty environment vs. a pediatric cancer setting, which led to unique implementation needs. As pharmacogenetic implementations expand, disseminating lessons learned in diverse, real‐world environments will be important to support routine adoption.
Prevalence of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women with persistent high‐risk HPV genotypes and negative cytology
Authors: Macdonald M. , Crossley J. , Ellis K. , Dudding N. , Lyon R. , Smith J. H. F. , Tidy J. A. , Palmer J. E.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Primary HPV screening will be implemented into the English Cervical Screening Programme by 2019. Its impact upon women referred to colposcopy, with negative cytology but persistently positive high‐risk HPV (hrHPV), remains unreported from UK Sentinel sites. HPV primary screening was introduced in Sheffield, UK in April 2013; this paper reports its impact on the service.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed from June 2014 to July 2016 at the Jessop Wing Colposcopy Unit, Sheffield. UK. Data were obtained from the pathology and colposcopy databases and cross‐referenced with case‐notes and pathology results for women referred with persistently positive hrHPV, cytology negative samples. Patient demographics, hrHPV genotype, biopsy rates, histological diagnoses, management, and outcomes were collected and baseline statistics performed.

Results

During the study 1076 women were seen. Most frequent hrHPV genotypes were: hrHPV other, 41%; and HPV16, 33%. The majority (72%) were found to have normal colposcopy; 28% had an abnormal colposcopic assessment (11% low‐grade; 11% high‐grade; 6% inadequate). The majority were discharged (83%) and only 5% underwent LLETZ. No cancers were detected. High‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was found in 7%; overall risk of CIN2 was 1/29; 1/30 for CIN3. Presence of HPV16 was associated with a significantly higher risk of high‐grade CIN; 1/9.

Conclusion

This is the first study to report results for women referred to colposcopy with cytology negative, persistently positive hrHPV. Disease prevalence is low, although women with HPV16 have a significantly higher likelihood of high‐grade disease compared to other HPV subtypes.
Workplace alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australia: Cluster non‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pidd Ken , Roche Ann , Cameron Jacqui , Lee Nicole , Jenner Linda , Duraisingam Vinita
Published: January 2018

Introduction and Aims

The workplace holds substantial potential as an alcohol harm reduction and prevention setting. Few studies have rigorously examined strategies to reduce workplace alcohol‐related harm. Hence, an in‐situ 3 year trial of a comprehensive alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australian manufacturing workplaces was undertaken.

Design and Methods

Informed by a gap analysis, a multi‐site trial was undertaken. Three manufacturing industry companies, located at four separate worksites, with a minimum of 100 employees were recruited through a local industry network. Based on worksite location, two worksites were allocated to the intervention group and two to the comparison group. The pre‐specified primary outcome measure, risky drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT‐C) and other self‐report measures were collected pre‐intervention (T1), 12 months (T2) and 24 months post‐intervention (T3).

Results

No significant intervention effect was observed for the primary outcome measure, risky drinking. Significant intervention effects were observed for increased awareness of alcohol policy and employee assistance. At T3, the odds of intervention group participants being aware of the workplace policy and aware of employee assistance were 48.9% (95% confidence interval 29.3–88.9%) and 79.7% (11.5%, 91.8%), respectively, greater than comparison group participants.

Discussion and Conclusions

Comprehensive tailored workplace interventions can be effective in improving workplace alcohol policy awareness. This is one of few workplace alcohol trials undertaken to‐date and the findings make an important contribution to the limited evidence base for workplace alcohol harm prevention initiatives.
Reconstructing geographical parthenogenesis: effects of niche differentiation and reproductive mode on Holocene range expansion of an alpine plant
Authors: Kirchheimer Bernhard , Wessely Johannes , Gattringer Andreas , Hülber Karl , Moser Dietmar , Schinkel Christoph C. F. , Appelhans Marc , Klatt Simone , Caccianiga Marco , Dellinger Agnes , Guisan Antoine , Kuttner Michael , Lenoir Jonathan , Maiorano Luigi , Nieto‐Lugilde Diego , Plutzar Christoph , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Willner Wolfgang , Hörandl Elvira , Dullinger Stefan
Published: January 2018

Asexual taxa often have larger ranges than their sexual progenitors, particularly in areas affected by Pleistocene glaciations. The reasons given for this ‘geographical parthenogenesis’ are contentious, with expansion of the ecological niche or colonisation advantages of uniparental reproduction assumed most important in case of plants. Here, we parameterized a spread model for the alpine buttercup Ranunculus kuepferi and reconstructed the joint Holocene range expansion of its sexual and apomictic cytotype across the European Alps under different simulation settings. We found that, rather than niche broadening or a higher migration rate, a shift of the apomict's niche towards colder conditions per se was crucial as it facilitated overcoming of topographical barriers, a factor likely relevant for many alpine apomicts. More generally, our simulations suggest potentially strong interacting effects of niche differentiation and reproductive modes on range formation of related sexual and asexual taxa arising from their differential sensitivity to minority cytotype disadvantage.
Everest's thinning glaciers: implications for tourism and mountaineering
Authors: Watson C. Scott , King Owen
Published: January 2018

Glacier mass loss in the Everest region of Nepal is accelerating in response to a warming climate, which is a trend observed across the central and eastern Himalaya. Thinning glaciers and the development of supraglacial (surface) ponds and large glacial lakes will increasingly restrict access to glacier surfaces and will affect popular trekking routes and mountaineering activities in the region. Through quantifying glacier accessibility and supraglacial pond expansion, we estimate that the Kongma La Pass trail across the Khumbu Glacier is likely to be impassable by 2020 due to supraglacial pond expansion and glacier thinning, and will require significant re‐routing. An estimated 197 649 227 m3 of ice melted over the period 1984–2015 on the Khumbu Glacier. Additionally, expert opinion from Everest mountaineers suggest that rockfall activity is likely to increase in the high‐mountain environment as snow and ice melts from mountain slopes, requiring changes to climbing routes on the world's highest peaks. Similarly, route difficulty will be affected by changing monsoon precipitation patterns, which determines windows of opportunity for ascents, and the distribution and quantity of snowfall. We conclude that increased collaboration between the scientific, local, and mountaineering communities offers mutual benefits for data collection and dissemination, and we identify key areas that should be investigated further.
Intelligibility is equity: Can international students read undergraduate admissions materials?
Authors: Taylor Zachary W.
Published: January 2018

Fewer international students have applied to and enrolled in US institutions, as 40 per cent of US institutions reported a drop in international applications since 2016. Subsequently, US institutions must ensure that their international admissions materials are as equitable and transparent as possible. Expanding previous work, this study examines the readability and translation of international undergraduate admissions materials of 335 four‐year public and non‐profit private US institutions. Results reveal these materials are written near a 14th‐grade reading comprehension level, only 1 per cent of institutions provide web‐embedded translation tools on their websites and 91 per cent of institutions provide English‐only content. Implications for practitioners, policymakers and future research are addressed.
Self‐responsibility, rationing and treatment decision making – managing moral narratives alongside fiscal reality in the obesity surgery clinic
Authors: Owen‐Smith Amanda , Coast Joanna , Donovan Jenny L.
Published: January 2018

Background

Addressing the prevalence of severe obesity and its concomitant morbidities is widely acknowledged as one of the most pressing global health priorities. Nevertheless, a paucity of effective interventions and universal pressure on health‐care budgets means that access to obesity treatments is often limited. Although health‐care rationing can be conceived as a socially constructed process, little is known about how decisions emerge within the context of face‐to‐face doctor–patient interactions.

Methods

In this study, we used in‐depth interviews and clinic observations to investigate clinicians’ (n = 11) and patients’ (n = 22) experiences of the rationing of obesity surgery and to examine how broader cultural assumptions around personal responsibility for health emerged in the context of clinical interactions.

Results

Patients and clinicians worked within similar frameworks when it came to self‐responsibility for health and the appropriateness of providing publicly‐funded weight loss surgery. Issues around personal accountability dominated consultations, and patients were expected to provide narratives of the development of their obesity and to account for the failure of previous interventions. Clinicians faced the added pressure of having to prioritise a limited number of patients for surgery, which was predominantly managed through mandating pre‐referral weight loss targets.

Discussion

Although clinicians sought to maintain an empathic attitude towards individual patients, in practice they were conflicted by their responsibility to ration health‐care resources and tended to rely on entrenched models of behaviour change to allocate treatment. As a result, the content of consultations was mostly focused on issues of personal responsibility, reflecting wider stigmatized attitudes towards extreme obesity.
Comparison of outpatient medically attended and community‐level influenza‐like illness—New York City, 2013‐2015
Authors: Russell Kate E. , Fowlkes Ashley , Stockwell Melissa S. , Vargas Celibell Y. , Saiman Lisa , Larson Elaine L. , LaRussa Philip , Di Lonardo Steve , Popowich Michael , St. George Kirsten , Steffens Andrea , Reed Carrie
Published: January 2018

Background

Surveillance of influenza‐like illness (ILI) in the United States is primarily conducted through medical settings despite a significant burden of non‐medically attended ILI.

Objectives

To assess consistency between surveillance for respiratory viruses in outpatient and community settings using ILI surveillance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project (IISP) and the Mobile Surveillance for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and Influenza‐Like Illness in the Community (MoSAIC) Study.

Methods

The Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project conducts ILI surveillance in 3 primary care clinics in New York City, and MoSAIC conducts community‐based ILI/ARI surveillance through text messaging among a cohort of New York City residents. Both systems obtain respiratory specimens from participants with ILI/ARI and test for multiple pathogens. We conducted a retrospective review of ILI cases in IISP and MoSAIC from January 2013 to May 2015 with descriptive analyses of clinical and laboratory data.

Results

Five‐hundred twelve MoSAIC and 669 IISP participants met an ILI criteria (fever with cough or sore throat) and were included. Forty percent of MoSAIC participants sought care; the majority primary care. Pathogens were detected in 63% of MoSAIC and 70% of IISP cases. The relative distribution of influenza and other respiratory viruses detected was similar; however, there were statistically significant differences in the frequency that were not explained by care seeking.

Conclusions

Outpatient and community‐based surveillance in the one found similar timing and relative distribution of respiratory viruses, but community surveillance in a single neighborhood may not fully capture the variations in ILI etiology that occur more broadly.
Investigation of phase composition and microwave dielectric properties of MgO‐Ta2O5 ceramics with ultrahigh Qf value
Authors: Dang Mingzhao , Ren Haishen , Yao Xiaogang , Peng Haiyi , Xie Tianyi , Lin Huixing , Luo Lan
Published: January 2018

Four MgO‐Ta2O5 ceramics with the MgO/Ta2O5 mole ratio x = 1, 2, 3, and 4 were prepared by traditional solid‐state reaction method, and the influence of x on the phase composition, microstructure, and dielectric properties (the dielectric constant εr, the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τf and the quality factor Qf) of the materials was investigated using XRD, SEM, etc. The results indicated that the ceramics were composed of two crystalline phases MgTa2O6 and Mg4Ta2O9 in the composition range studied, and that the dielectric properties ln ε, 1/Qf, and τf changed proportionally to the fraction of main crystal phases, which meet perfectly with the mixing model proposed in this study. It is obvious that the proportion of the two crystal phases could be precisely controlled by x, and thereby, the dielectric properties can be conveniently and precisely tailored. Our research provided a new microwave dielectric ceramic with the composition of 2MgO‐Ta2O5, which has an ultrahigh Qf value (211 000 GHz), low dielectric constant εr (19.9), and near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τf (8 ppm/°C).