bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proactive personality and training motivation among older workers
Authors: Setti Ilaria , Dordoni Paola , Piccoli Beatrice , Bellotto Massimo , Argentero Piergiorgio
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims at examining the relationship between proactive personality and training motivation among older workers (aged over 55 years) in a context characterized by the growing ageing of the global population. First, the authors hypothesized that proactive personality predicts the motivation to learn among older workers and that this relationship is mediated by goal orientation. In particular, the authors hypothesized that learning goal orientation may mediate the relationship between proactive personality and learning motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The employees of an Italian bank completed an online questionnaire. AMOS 17 was used to carry out confirmatory factor analysis, and the SPSS macro was used to test the meditational model.

Findings

– The results confirmed both the hypotheses, demonstrating the influence of proactive personality on training motivation of older workers, as mediated by goal orientation and, in particular, by learning goal orientation.

Practical implications

– From an applicative point of view, this study may have implications for organizations that aim to increase the employability of older people by encouraging them to undertake more training. In particular, interventions aimed at increasing learning goal orientation could contribute in strengthening proactive personality that, in turn, may affect levels of training motivation.

Originality/value

– Even if proactive personality has already been found as a predictor of learning motivation, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study demonstrates that the relationship between proactive personality and training motivation is mediated by goal orientation among older workers.
Metallographic examination of an AISI H11 mandrel of a bridge die used in hot extrusion
Authors: Medrea Carmen , Kalfopoulos Antonios , Papageorgiou Dimitrios , Chicinas Ionel
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– A local company producing aluminum profile encounters frequent failures to bridge dies. In total, 22 dies failed within a year, entailing production disruptions and extensive downtimes. Bridges usually exhibit cracks on the ribs. The failure analysis of the failed parts has been performed in order to propose solution for correct and economical process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Recorded history was collected regarding tool’s material selection, manufacturing conditions, usage and service. A representative failed bridge was in depth analyzed. The piece was optically inspected. Rockwell hardness measurements and chemical analysis were performed. The paper is focussed on the microscopic examination of the failed parts. Specimens were cut from bridge’s ribs. Areas including cracks were analyzed on the cross section of the samples by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Local chemical analysis was made by X-ray microanalysis.

Findings

– Design, deficiency and improper maintenance are considered to be responsible for the systematic die damage. Prolonged preheating duration and poor quality surfaces before nitriding render dies premature unusable. The preheating duration should be controlled and protective atmosphere should be used. Furthermore, it is suggested to protect the ribs during nitriding as a preventive measure against crack initiation. The bridge’s geometry can be improved by fabricating ribs with larger radii. A finer polishing is recommended.

Originality/value

– The present analysis resolved a serious deficiency in extrusion production. Extended research has been conducted in the field of aluminum extrusion dies, nevertheless, the present work presents new metallographic aspects as well as some interesting notes regarding the repetitive nitriding of bridge dies.
Technological, organisational and environmental factors influencing managers’ decision to adopt cloud computing in the UK
Authors: Gutierrez Anabel , Boukrami Elias , Lumsden Ranald
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors influencing managers’ decision to adopt cloud computing in the UK using the “Technology-Organisation-Environment” (TOE) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through a self-created questionnaire based survey that was completed by 257 mid-to-senior level decision-making business and information technology (IT) professionals from a range of UK end-user organisations. The derived hypotheses were tested using various data analysis techniques including principal component analysis and logistic regression.

Findings

– The results show that four out of the eight factors examined have a significant influence on the adoption decision of cloud computing services in the UK. Those key factors include competitive pressure, complexity, technology readiness and trading partner pressure. The latter predictor; trading partner pressure, was the most significant factor for the adoption decision of cloud services reflecting organisations’ concerns on legal regulations, co-creation and customisation, service linkage and vendor locking which adds complexity to the process of selecting an appropriate vendor.

Research limitations/implications

– This research found trading partners (cloud service providers) significantly influence managers’ decisions to adopt cloud services, however, further research is required to fully understand all the aspects involved especially with the growing number of vendors available. Although over 250 usable responses to the questionnaire were received and analysed, there was not a sufficient quantity of responses from each industry sector or organisation size to conduct further analysis.

Practical implications

– The findings reveal the important role of cloud computing service providers to enable end-users to better evaluate the use of cloud computing. It also reveals that top management support is no longer a driver as organisations are starting to adopt cloud computing services on the basis of cheaper and more agile IT resources in order to support business growth.

Originality/value

– This research provides original insight for cloud computing adoption within the UK from a managerial perspective.
Integrating cloud computing in supply chain processes
Authors: Jede Andreas , Teuteberg Frank
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– There are cloud computing (CC) services available for various applications within supply chain management (SCM) processes and related enterprise information systems (ISs). These services offer, for example, consistent global networking platforms and shared real-time information. Furthermore, they enable quick decision making and ensure efficiency, which may strengthen competitive advantages as to digital processes within the supply chain (SC). However, research lacks a paper that systematically analyzes the interrelation between CC and SCM in detail and aims to become a reference point in the intersection of both research fields. Moreover, the purpose of this paper is to gain a deep understanding of the current state of research and to identify future research challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper provides a cross-discipline systematic literature review from the research perspectives of ISs and SCM. In total, 99 papers have been investigated by combining qualitative and quantitative content analysis. As a side effect the authors developed a new methodological framework for conducting comprehensive literature reviews that could be applied by future research.

Finding

– The authors discover the most important influence factors for CC implementations in SC processes and pay special attention to major issues, research methods, applied theoretical concepts, and geographical differences. Until now, SCM research in the realm of CC usage is still in its infancy both in theory and practice.

Research limitations/implications

– Possibly not all of the relevant papers have been filtered during the paper selection phase. The findings of the literature review and the conceptual framework identifying different areas of concern are believed to be useful for future research to obtain an overview of the evolution of CC in SC processes.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge, there is no systematic literature review that consistently focusses CC usage within SC processes while integrating strategic aspects. Additionally, the authors constructed and applied a unique keyword analysis.
A framework for Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR)
Authors: Panahifar Farhad , Heavey Cathal , Byrne PJ , Fazlollahtabar Hamed
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Although many papers purport the significant value attributable to supply chain performance from the use of Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR), the question of “what are the main constructs and efficient framework for successful implementation of CPFR?” remains largely unanswered. This question will be addressed by identifying and analysing the main constructs for successful implementation of CPFR. The purpose of this paper is to attempt first to seek answers to this question. Second, to review the scope and value of CPFR using a devised state-of-the-art taxonomy for the classification of selected bibliographical references and third, to develop a conceptual framework by identifying areas which need more research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method underlying this paper followed the steps of a systematic literature review process outlined by Soni and Kodali (2011). The review is based on a total of 93 papers published from 1998 to 2013 on CPFR.

Findings

– Four main constructs for successful implementation of CPFR have been identified: CPFR enablers, CPFR barriers, trading partner selection and IA. The findings indicate that there is a need for better understanding of the amount and level of information sharing as an important function of CPFR implementation. The paper also illustrates a number of shortcomings in the current literature and provides suggestions to guide future research on implementing CPFR in different industries.

Practical implications

– This paper is of interest to both academicians and practitioners as it helps to better understand the concept and role of CPFR in supply chain integration and its implementation results, enablers and inhibitors. The proposed framework in this paper can be used to give insight for future research and practice.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a framework for the review of previous research on CPFR and identifies the most important shortcomings that need to be addressed in future research. In addition, this review is both greater in scope than previous reviews and is broader in its subject focus.
Impact of individualism and collectivism over the individual’s technology acceptance behaviour
Authors: Abbasi Muhammad Sharif , Tarhini Ali , Elyas Tariq , Shah Farwa
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an extended model of technology acceptance to include behavioural beliefs (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), subjective norms, management support (at institutional and governmental levels) to examine the academics’ internet acceptance behaviour within the Pakistan and Turkish context. In addition to this, impact of cultural dimension individualism-collectivism (IC) is also examined on the basis of moderator construct.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 380 academics’ using a cross-sectional survey. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (partial least squares) in conjunction with multiple group analysis.

Findings

– The results revealed that proposed model achieved acceptable fit with the data (i.e.R2=39 per cent in intention) and most of the hypothesised relationships were supported. The results also revealed that culture showed a moderating effect on hypothetical relationships. Specifically, the effects of management support were stronger for the respondents having high on collectivist society (i.e. Pakistan).

Originality/value

– The study is useful in non-western cultural contexts. Specifically, in contrast to previous studies, diversity of individuals’ acceptance behaviour is examined in Turkey and Pakistan. Additionally, this study had examined moderating impact of cultural dimension (i.e. IC) over academic’s behavioural intention to accept the internet technology.
Social identity and family business: exploring family social capital
Authors: Schmidts Torsten , Shepherd Deborah
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use social identity theory to explore factors that contribute to the development of family social capital. Effects are investigated both for the family and the business.

Design/methodology/approach

– A single in-depth case study focussing on the family unit was coducted within a fourth-generation family business involved in the arts retailing.

Findings

– The findings suggest that social identity theory is a useful lens to explore the development of family social capital. The six themes identified highlight that there is a normative and an affective dimension, leading to family members’ desire to uphold the status of the business. Evidence suggests that the normative factors may be both positively and negatively related to the development of family social capital, due to their potentially restrictive nature.

Originality/value

– The paper’s findings imply that social identity can contribute to understanding family dynamics. Evidence highlights various factors for family members that are not involved in the family business to uphold its status. This is attributed to the emotional significance of the business to the family’s identity. Furthermore, this paper suggests that the strong focus on norms and values, which developed gradually, may have adverse effects on the identification with the business and the willingness to uphold its status. Propositions are offered to provide guidance for future research to investigate this controversial evidence regarding the impact of value orientation on family social capital.
The influence of family relationships in the succession
Authors: Soto Maciel Argentina , de la Garza Ramos Maria Isabel , Esparza Aguilar José Luis , San Martín Reyna Juan Manuel
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the factors identified in the model of influence of family relationships in a process of succession.

Design/methodology/approach

– To that end, an exploratory factor analysis of a model is conducted. Such model includes four factors: family cohesion and adaptability, family commitment with the business, the relationship between the owner-manager and the successor, and the planning and training of the successor.

Findings

– The results confirm the relevance of the four factors used and enable the authors to identify the structure of their coefficients within each factor.

Originality/value

– Family involvement constitutes one of the most influential factors in the complex management of family businesses, as it can even threaten their survival. One of the most critical moments in the life of a family business is the interaction during the succession process. Therefore, the succession process continues to be a topic of growing interest to researchers in the family business literature. Given the importance of family business succession.
Family businesses: fertile environments for conflict
Authors: Großmann Steffen , Schlippe Arist Von
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an innovative study with a twofold focus: on highly escalated family business (FB) conflicts and on the interactions between conflicts and the failure of the company as FB. The authors devoted this paper to the question of how family-related conflicts are connected with the demise of FB. Conflicts constitute an essential part of every FB and may definitely have the power to superimpose the performance of the FB as well as the family life in a destructive way. Especially, highly escalated so called relationship conflicts can be seen as one reason for the failure of FB.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research aims at analysing the meaning of conflict in FB with respect to the failure of the FB. Therefore, the authors use an explorative case study approach. The study is based on a total of five case studies. As the authors use theory of social systems as a theoretical background, the authors focused in the analysis in all cases on patterns rather than on individual characteristics.

Findings

– As an essential part of the study the authors formulated eight hypotheses describing specific patterns of the conflict process as a communicative system. These hypotheses convey a comprehensible impression of the effects conflicts may have within FB and present a number of new facets of conflict dynamics and patterns of escalation in FB.

Originality/value

– In particular, the authors provide new insights into the dynamics of highly destructive forms of conflicts in FB and the relationship between family-related conflicts and the failure of FB. The authors also pave the way for future research that aim to develop a more holistic understanding about when and why the outcomes from family and business systems will conflict or be harmonious.
Mixed Competition and Patent Licensing
Authors: Chang Ray‐Yun , Lin Yan‐Shu , Hu Jin‐Li
Published: October 2015

This paper studies the patent licensing decision of an insider patentee when two firms engage in a mixed (Cournot–Bertrand or Bertrand–Cournot) competition where one firm adopts the quantity strategy while the other uses the price strategy and vice versa. If either the fixed fee or royalty is applied, then the licensor prefers the fixed fee when the licensor takes the quantity strategy, while the licensee uses the price strategy (Cournot–Bertrand). If the two‐part tariff is applied, then the two‐part tariff is more likely to be adopted by the licensor under Cournot–Bertrand than under Bertrand–Cournot competition.
Class and Cuisine in Contemporary Britain: the Social Space, the Space of Food and Their Homology
Authors: Atkinson Will , Deeming Christopher
Published: October 2015

Thirty-five years ago Pierre Bourdieu asserted that food preferences, as much as any other element of culture, are distributed within a space of difference more or less homologous with the social space of class positions. Plumbing data on annual spends on all manner of food items, he detected two key oppositions – a taste for the light versus a taste for the heavy on the one hand and a taste for rich foods versus a taste for healthy and exotic foods on the other – and located their generative principles in differences of volume of capital and composition of capital respectively. Deploying a correspondence analysis of similar data using the 2010 Living Costs and Food Survey, supplemented by data from the 2008 British Social Attitudes survey and the 2003 Cultural Capital and Social Exclusion Survey, we seek to examine whether comparable differences in expenditure and preferences are observable in contemporary Britain and, consequently, to illuminate the current structure of the food space and its homology with class. Ultimately, we conclude that Bourdieu's general model is essentially transposable from 1960s France to the UK at the dawn of the 21st century, though we put additional emphasis on the ethical dimension of food consumption, and reflect on the prevalent instances of symbolic violence it underpins.
The Impact of Political Theory
Authors: Dunn John
Published: October 2015

Any systematic understanding of politics requires theory: an organised, if not necessarily self-conscious way of seeing and thinking about it. The point of studying and teaching about politics in universities is educational: to help others to understand it better and bring that understanding into their own lives and the lives of the communities to which they belong. Political theorists have a distinctive responsibility to recognise this and show those they teach and those with whom they work how to generate and organise better understanding of why politics is as it is and what it means for everyone's life. The competitive rating of performance to secure university funding deploys criteria that are intellectually absurd, politically disgraceful or deeply corrupting of intellectual and educational purpose. Whatever else they have managed to add to political understanding by their own work, every academically employed political theorist ought at least to have shown those they teach unmistakably why that is so.
Survey of point of care ultrasound usage in emergency medicine by Vietnamese physicians
Authors: Rice Brian T , Vu Ha , Tran Lai Duc , Vo Quang Xuan , Mowafi Hani
Published: October 2015

Objectives

Emergency medicine (EM) is rapidly developing as a specialty in Vietnam. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is currently taught as part of formal EM curriculums though limited literature exists to describe current POCUS usage in EDs in Vietnam. A survey was developed to understand current POCUS utilisation and guide future training efforts.

Methods

A survey was administered to 104 Vietnamese physicians attending a national emergency medicine symposium regarding POCUS utilisation, access, training and preference. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression to identify independent variables associated with POCUS usage.

Results

Increased access to ultrasound machines was significantly associated with increased POCUS usage, with ‘all the time’ access (OR = 92.9, 95% CI 7.15–1207.6, P = 0.001) being more strongly associated than ‘sometimes’ access (OR = 41.4, 95% CI 4.08–419.8, P = 0.002). Formal training did not significantly increase POCUS usage and 50.0% of respondents who regularly used POCUS had no formal training. There was no significant difference in physician preference or comfort for any single application of POCUS. There were 98.0% of trainees and 96.3% of independently practising physicians who reported a desire for additional POCUS training.

Conclusions

Regular access to ultrasound machines increases the frequency of POCUS usage in EDs in Vietnam. POCUS training was not as clearly associated with POCUS usage as those without formal training were equally likely to use POCUS as those with formal training. No single POCUS application stood out as strongly preferred by physicians in this survey.
Dispatcher‐assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocol improves diagnosis and resuscitation recommendations for out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Besnier Emmanuel , Damm Cedric , Jardel Benoit , Veber Benoit , Compere Vincent , Dureuil Bertrand
Published: October 2015

Objective

Despite recent efforts, most people are not trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which has a major impact on survival following cardiac arrest (CA). We have set up a dispatcher‐assisted CPR protocol at our call centre, based on international guidelines issued in 2010. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of this protocol on CA diagnosis and quantity of recommendations given by telephone dispatchers to untrained witnesses.

Methods

We performed a ‘before and after’ monocentric observational study. Data were compared before and a short time after (2 months) implementation of the protocol. We included patients presenting as an out‐of‐hospital CA in the presence of a witness untrained in CPR. Fisher's test was used to compare periods. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

During the 8 month period before the protocol, 115 victims were potentially eligible for CPR. Diagnosis was achieved in 63.5% of cases and CPR recommendations given in 6.1%. After implementation of the protocol, 130 victims were potentially eligible for CPR. Frequency of CA diagnosis was significantly higher after the protocol with 76% of cases (P = 0.0359). Frequency of CPR recommendations given to witnesses was also significantly higher after the protocol, with a fivefold increase up to 29.2% (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Implementation of a dispatcher‐assisted CPR protocol was efficient in improving both CA diagnosis and CPR recommendations given to untrained witnesses for out‐of‐hospital CA with a very short time of dispatcher training. It is a simple and efficacious measure, at no additional cost and with the promises of improving prognosis following cardiac arrest in a centre not equipped with computerised dispatcher support programmes.
Reframing video gaming and internet use addiction: empirical cross‐national comparison of heavy use over time and addiction scales among young users
Authors: Baggio Stéphanie , Dupuis Marc , Studer Joseph , Spilka Stanislas , Daeppen Jean‐Bernard , Simon Olivier , Berchtold André , Gmel Gerhard
Published: October 2015

Background and aims

Evidence‐based and reliable measures of addictive disorders are needed in general population‐based assessments. One study suggested that heavy use over time (UOT) should be used instead of self‐reported addiction scales (AS). This study compared UOT and AS regarding video gaming and internet use empirically, using associations with comorbid factors.

Design

Cross‐sectional data from the 2011 French Survey on Health and Consumption on Call‐up and Preparation for Defence‐Day (ESCAPAD), cross‐sectional data from the 2012 Swiss ado@internet.ch study and two waves of longitudinal data (2010–13) of the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C‐SURF).

Setting

Three representative samples from the general population of French and Swiss adolescents and young Swiss men, aged approximately 17, 14 and 20 years, respectively.

Participants

ESCAPAD: n =22 945 (47.4% men); ado@internet.ch: n =3049 (50% men); C‐SURF: n =4813 (baseline + follow‐up, 100% men).

Measurements

We assessed video gaming/internet UOT ESCAPAD and ado@internet.ch: number of hours spent online per week, C‐SURF: latent score of time spent gaming/using internet] and AS (ESCAPAD: Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire, ado@internet.ch: Internet Addiction Test, C‐SURF: Gaming AS). Comorbidities were assessed with health outcomes (ESCAPAD: physical health evaluation with a single item, suicidal thoughts, and appointment with a psychiatrist; ado@internet.ch: WHO‐5 and somatic health problems; C‐SURF: Short Form 12 (SF‐12 Health Survey) and Major Depression Inventory (MDI).

Findings

UOT and AS were correlated moderately (ESCAPAD: r = 0.40, ado@internet.ch: r = 0.53 and C‐SURF: r = 0.51). Associations of AS with comorbidity factors were higher than those of UOT in cross‐sectional (AS: .005 ≤ |b| ≤ 2.500, UOT: 0.001 ≤ |b| ≤ 1.000) and longitudinal analyses (AS: 0.093 ≤ |b| ≤ 1.079, UOT: 0.020 ≤ |b| ≤ 0.329). The results were similar across gender in ESCAPAD and ado@internet.ch (men: AS: 0.006 ≤ |b| ≤ 0.211, UOT: 0.001 ≤ |b| ≤ 0.061; women: AS: 0.004 ≤ |b| ≤ 0.155, UOT: 0.001 ≤ |b| ≤ 0.094).

Conclusions

The measurement of heavy use over time captures part of addictive video gaming/internet use without overlapping to a large extent with the results of measuring by self‐reported addiction scales (AS). Measuring addictive video gaming/internet use via self‐reported addiction scales relates more strongly to comorbidity factors than heavy use over time.
Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association and Difficult Airway Society guidelines for the management of difficult and failed tracheal intubation in obstetrics
Authors: Mushambi M. C. , Kinsella S. M. , Popat M. , Swales H. , Ramaswamy K. K. , Winton A. L. , Quinn A. C.
Published: October 2015

The Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association and Difficult Airway Society have developed the first national obstetric guidelines for the safe management of difficult and failed tracheal intubation during general anaesthesia. They comprise four algorithms and two tables. A master algorithm provides an overview. Algorithm 1 gives a framework on how to optimise a safe general anaesthetic technique in the obstetric patient, and emphasises: planning and multidisciplinary communication; how to prevent the rapid oxygen desaturation seen in pregnant women by advocating nasal oxygenation and mask ventilation immediately after induction; limiting intubation attempts to two; and consideration of early release of cricoid pressure if difficulties are encountered. Algorithm 2 summarises the management after declaring failed tracheal intubation with clear decision points, and encourages early insertion of a (preferably second‐generation) supraglottic airway device if appropriate. Algorithm 3 covers the management of the ‘can't intubate, can't oxygenate’ situation and emergency front‐of‐neck airway access, including the necessity for timely perimortem caesarean section if maternal oxygenation cannot be achieved. Table 1 gives a structure for assessing the individual factors relevant in the decision to awaken or proceed should intubation fail, which include: urgency related to maternal or fetal factors; seniority of the anaesthetist; obesity of the patient; surgical complexity; aspiration risk; potential difficulty with provision of alternative anaesthesia; and post‐induction airway device and airway patency. This decision should be considered by the team in advance of performing a general anaesthetic to make a provisional plan should failed intubation occur. The table is also intended to be used as a teaching tool to facilitate discussion and learning regarding the complex nature of decision‐making when faced with a failed intubation. Table 2 gives practical considerations of how to awaken or proceed with surgery. The background paper covers recommendations on drugs, new equipment, teaching and training.
Adaptive response to hypoxia and remote ischaemia pre‐conditioning: a new hypoxia‐inducible factors era in clinical medicine
Authors: Heyman S. N. , Leibowitz D. , Mor‐Yosef Levi I. , Liberman A. , Eisenkraft A. , Alcalai R. , Khamaisi M. , Rosenberger C.
Published: October 2015

Transient ischaemia leads to tolerance to subsequent protracted ischaemia. This ‘ischaemia pre‐conditioning’ results from the induction of numerous protective genes, involved in cell metabolism, proliferation and survival, in antioxidant capacity, angiogenesis, vascular tone and erythropoiesis. Hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIF) play a pivotal role in this transcriptional adaptive response. HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), serving as oxygen sensors, control HIFα degradation. HIF‐mediated ischaemic pre‐conditioning can be achieved with the administration of PHD inhibitors, with the attenuation of organ injury under various hypoxic and toxic insults. Clinical trials are currently under way, evaluating PHD inhibitors as inducers of erythropoietin. Once their safety is established, their potential use might be further tested in clinical trials in various forms of acute ischaemic and toxic organ damage.

Repeated transient limb ischaemia was also found to attenuate ischaemic injury in remote organs. This ‘remote ischaemic pre‐conditioning’ phenomenon (RIP) has been extensively studied recently in small clinical trials, preceding, or in parallel with an abrupt insult, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery or radiocontrast administration. Initial results are promising, suggesting organ protection. Large‐scale multi‐centre studies are currently under way, evaluating the protective potential of RIP in cardiac surgery, in the management of myocardial infarction and in organ transplantation. The mechanisms of organ protection provided by RIP are poorly understood, but HIF seemingly play a role as well.

Thus, Inhibition of HIF degradation with PHD inhibitors, as well as RIP (in part through HIF), might develop into novel clinical interventions in organ protection in the near future.
Predicting allopurinol response in patients with gout
Authors: Wright Daniel F. B. , Duffull Stephen B. , Merriman Tony R. , Dalbeth Nicola , Barclay Murray L. , Stamp Lisa K.
Published: October 2015

Aims

The primary aim of this research was to predict the allopurinol maintenance doses required to achieve the target plasma urate of ≤0.36 mmol l−1.

Methods

A population analysis was conducted in nonmem using oxypurinol and urate plasma concentrations from 133 gout patients. Maintenance dose predictions to achieve the recommended plasma urate target were generated.

Results

The urate response was best described by a direct effects model. Renal function, diuretic use and body size were found to be significant covariates. Dose requirements increased approximately 2‐fold over a 3‐fold range of total body weight and were 1.25–2 fold higher in those taking diuretics. Renal function had only a modest impact on dose requirements.

Conclusions

Contrary to current guidelines, the model predicted that allopurinol dose requirements were determined primarily by differences in body size and diuretic use. A revised guide to the likely allopurinol doses to achieve the target plasma urate concentration is proposed.
On the Moral Acceptability of Physician‐Assisted Dying for Non‐Autonomous Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Varelius Jukka
Published: October 2015

Several authors have recently suggested that the suffering caused by mental illness could provide moral grounds for physician‐assisted dying. Yet they typically require that psychiatric‐assisted dying could come to question in the cases of autonomous, or rational, psychiatric patients only. Given that also non‐autonomous psychiatric patients can sometimes suffer unbearably, this limitation appears questionable. In this article, I maintain that restricting psychiatric‐assisted dying to autonomous, or rational, psychiatric patients would not be compatible with endorsing certain end‐of‐life practices commonly accepted in current medical ethics and law, practices often referred to as ‘passive euthanasia’.
Urinary laminin‐γ2 is a novel biomarker of non‐muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Kamada Masayuki , Koshikawa Naohiko , Minegishi Tomoko , Kawada Chiaki , Karashima Takashi , Shuin Taro , Seiki Motoharu
Published: October 2015

Lack of appropriate biomarkers has hampered early detection of urothelial cancer (UC), therefore, development of biomarkers for its diagnosis at earlier stages is of importance. Laminin‐332 (Ln‐332, formerly Ln‐5), a component of basement membranes, consists of Ln‐α3, Ln‐β3, and Ln‐γ2 polypeptides. However, monomeric Ln‐γ2 alone is frequently expressed in malignant neoplasms. If Ln‐γ2 is also expressed in UC and secreted into the urine, its detection could be useful for UC diagnosis. Here, we evaluated Ln‐γ2 levels from 60 patients with urinary diseases (including UC) by Western blotting, and detected it in approximately 53% of UC cases. Using immunohistochemistry, we confirmed Ln‐γ2 expression in UC tissues that were positive for Ln‐γ2, whereas Ln‐α3 expression was absent. We next developed a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and applied it for screening 39 patients with non‐muscle invasive UC and 61 patients with benign urologic diseases. The Ln‐γ2 levels were higher in UC patients than in those with benign urologic diseases. Ln‐γ2 was detected even in patients with earlier stages of UC, such as Ta, T1, or carcinoma in situ. The sensitivity of Ln‐γ2 testing for UC was 97.4%, and the specificity was 45.9%, using a cut‐off of 0.5 μg/g∙crn. Ln‐γ2 had greater diagnostic value for detecting non‐muscle invasive UC compared to conventional urine cytology and available biomarkers for UC, and may be useful as a urine biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of UC.
Preclinical activity of the novel B‐cell‐specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 inhibitor PTC‐209 in acute myeloid leukemia: Implications for leukemia therapy
Authors: Nishida Yuki , Maeda Aya , Chachad Dhruv , Ishizawa Jo , Qiu Yi Hua , Kornblau Steven M. , Kimura Shinya , Andreeff Michael , Kojima Kensuke
Published: October 2015

Curing patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge. The polycomb complex protein B‐cell‐specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI‐1) is required for the self‐renewal and maintenance of leukemia stem cells. We investigated the prognostic significance of BMI‐1 in AML and the effects of a novel small molecule selective inhibitor of BMI‐1, PTC‐209. BMI‐1 protein expression was determined in 511 newly diagnosed AML patients together with 207 other proteins using reverse‐phase protein array technology. Patients with unfavorable cytogenetics according to Southwest Oncology Group criteria had higher levels of BMI‐1 compared to those with favorable (P = 0.0006) or intermediate cytogenetics (P = 0.0061), and patients with higher levels of BMI‐1 had worse overall survival (55.3 weeks vs. 42.8 weeks, P = 0.046). Treatment with PTC‐209 reduced protein level of BMI‐1 and its downstream target mono‐ubiquitinated histone H2A and triggered several molecular events consistent with the induction of apoptosis, this is, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase‐3 cleavage, BAX activation, and phosphatidylserine externalization. PTC‐209 induced apoptosis in patient‐derived CD34+CD38low/− AML cells and, less prominently, in CD34− differentiated AML cells. BMI‐1 reduction by PTC‐209 directly correlated with apoptosis induction in CD34+ primary AML cells (r = 0.71, P = 0.022). However, basal BMI‐1 expression was not a determinant of AML sensitivity. BMI‐1 inhibition, which targets a primitive AML cell population, might offer a novel therapeutic strategy for AML.
By Sleight of Neoliberal Logics: Street Youth, Workfare, and the Everyday Tactics of Survival in London, Ontario, Canada
Authors: DOLSON MARK S.
Published: October 2015

Based on 14 months of ethnographic fieldwork with street youths in a mid‐sized city in Ontario, Canada, this paper centers on the ways some street youths are engaging in partial accommodation and selective resistance to Ontario's workfare program; Ontario Works (OW). Owing to its neoliberal reconceptualization in the mid 1990's OW “participants”—in order to receive social assistance—must engage in a documentable effort to pursue employment, practical education or skills‐development leading to entry into the labor market. However, many of my informants are unable or unwilling to seek low‐wage, precarious work; the only form of work available to them. Through creative interpretation and manipulation of OW rules, I argue that street youth challenge the redefinition of the morality of poverty through OW's neoliberal policies and discursive strategies, and refashion a moral economy based on survival and making do. Their alternative moral economy reveals the limits of the state's reach and effort to domesticate marginalized youths.
CROSS‐BORDER M&As AND FIRM VALUE: A COMPARISON OF CHINA‐ AND US‐JAPAN M&As
Authors: Chikamoto Keisuke , Takeda Fumiko , Yokoyama Ai
Published: October 2015

We examine the effect of M&As conducted by U.S. and Chinese bidders (US‐Japan and China‐Japan M&As) on the stock prices of Japanese targets. We find that both types of M&As tend to increase the stock prices of the Japanese targets and that market reactions are significantly greater for US‐Japan M&As than for China‐Japan M&As. Additionally, capital participation produces greater market reactions to China‐Japan M&As than other structures, while acquisition produces this effect in US‐Japan M&As. Our results are consistent with previous research indicating that market reactions increase for bidders operating in a developed country with high‐quality institutions and corporate governance. (JEL G32, G34)
CD117 (KIT) is a useful immunohistochemical marker for differentiating porocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Goto Keisuke , Takai Toshihiro , Fukumoto Takaya , Anan Takashi , Kimura Tetsunori , Ansai Shin‐ichi , Oshitani Yoshimi , Murata Yozo , Sakuma Toshiko , Hirose Takanori
Published: October 2015

Background

Distinguishing porocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is clinically significant but can pose a diagnostic dilemma. The present study sought to confirm the diagnostic utility of CD117 immunohistochemistry in distinguishing porocarcinoma from SCC and to examine histologic, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunohistochemical and CA19‐9 immunohistochemical differences between these tumors.

Methods

Immunostaining with anti‐CD117, anti‐CEA and anti‐CA19‐9 antibodies was performed for 22 porocarcinomas and 31 SCCs. The extent of CD117, CEA and CA19‐9 staining was classified as negative (<1%), rarely positive (1–4%), focally positive (5–29%) or diffusely positive (30–100%). CD117 staining intensity was semi‐quantitatively graded as weak, moderate or strong.

Results

All (100%) porocarcinomas were positive for CD117, with mainly focal (8/22) or diffuse (11/22) and moderate (9/22) to strong (8/22) staining. In contrast, only 6 of 31 SCCs (19.4%) expressed CD117 focally, and this expression was limited to the basal layer of the tumor in four cases. CEA immunostaining highlighted the lumina of all 22 porocarcinomas; however, CEA expression was not significantly different between porocarcinomas and SCCs (100 vs. 71.0%, respectively). CA19‐9 was not expressed in the lumina of 5 of 22 porocarcinomas.

Conclusions

Along with CEA, CD117 immunohistochemistry could be helpful in distinguishing porocarcinomas from SCCs.
Acral verruca‐like presentation of chronic graft‐vs.‐host disease
Authors: Park Joyce H. , Lester Laura , Kim Jinah , Kwong Bernice Y.
Published: October 2015

Background

Chronic graft‐vs.‐host disease (GVHD) is a severe and potentially fatal complication in patients after undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant. This disease may be hard to diagnose as it has numerous cutaneous presentations.

Methods

We report four cases of patients seen at Stanford Hospital between January 2013 to December 2014 with hematologic malignancy who developed hyperkeratotic papules and plaques on the palms and soles after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Results

In all four cases, standard treatments for verruca vulgaris failed. Histopathology uniformly showed basal vacuolar alteration at the dermal–epidermal junction and necrotic keratinocytes around the eccrine glands, consistent with GVHD. Interestingly, all four patients responded to topical immunosuppression.

Conclusions

Acral verrucous lesions represent an underrecognized presentation of chronic GVHD. We describe four patients with verruca‐like lesions on the palms and soles following allogeneic HSCT. Histopathology confirmed GVHD, and lesions improved with immunosuppression. It is important for dermatologists and dermatopathologists to recognize this rare presentation of cutaneous GVHD.
Spatial patterns of species richness and functional diversity in Costa Rican terrestrial mammals: implications for conservation
Authors: González‐Maya José F. , Víquez‐R Luis R. , Arias‐Alzate Andrés , Belant Jerrold L. , Ceballos Gerardo
Published: October 2015

Aim

Functional diversity is a relatively recent approach to quantify species diversity and may provide a better understanding of the linkages between biological diversity and ecosystem functioning. Understanding the relationships between mammal species richness and functional diversity, the factors that influence these relationships, and the spatial scale at which they operate, can improve our knowledge of ecosystem functioning and may benefit conservation planning.

Location

Costa Rica (8°0′–11°14′N and 82°32′–85°56′W).

Methods

We evaluated spatial patterns of species richness and functional diversity for terrestrial mammal species in Costa Rica using regression techniques and assessed the influence of environmental, biological and anthropogenic factors on those patterns.

Results

Environmental and anthropogenic factors influenced species richness and functional diversity, while a biological factor (i.e. species' geographic origin) only influenced functional diversity. Observed patterns of species richness and functional diversity resulted in identification of three regions which could be differentiated by ecosystem type and the occurrence of bats and rodents. The spatial scale at which variation in these diversity measures also differed, with species richness most affected at fine spatial scales (local) and functional diversity best explained at the meso‐scale (regional level).

Main conclusions

Both diversity measures varied spatially in relationship of examined factors, and the extent at which influencing factors affect both measures also varied across the country and scales. Our results highlight that investigating the interaction of scales is necessary for also further understanding macroecological patterns. Considering multiple measures of biological diversity and the spatial scales at which they operate may improve our understanding of biodiversity and the efficacy of species and community conservation planning.
Par‐aPKC‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms cooperatively control cell polarity, Hippo signaling, and cell positioning in 16‐cell stage mouse embryos
Authors: Hirate Yoshikazu , Hirahara Shino , Inoue Ken‐ichi , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Niwa Hiroshi , Sasaki Hiroshi
Published: October 2015

In preimplantation mouse embryos, the Hippo signaling pathway plays a central role in regulating the fates of the trophectoderm (TE) and the inner cell mass (ICM). In early blastocysts with more than 32 cells, the Par‐aPKC system controls polarization of the outer cells along the apicobasal axis, and cell polarity suppresses Hippo signaling. Inactivation of Hippo signaling promotes nuclear accumulation of a coactivator protein, Yap, leading to induction of TE‐specific genes. However, whether similar mechanisms operate at earlier stages is not known. Here, we show that slightly different mechanisms operate in 16‐cell stage embryos. Similar to 32‐cell stage embryos, disruption of the Par‐aPKC system activated Hippo signaling and suppressed nuclear Yap and Cdx2 expression in the outer cells. However, unlike 32‐cell stage embryos, 16‐cell stage embryos with a disrupted Par‐aPKC system maintained apical localization of phosphorylated Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (p‐ERM), and the effects on Yap and Cdx2 were weak. Furthermore, normal 16‐cell stage embryos often contained apolar cells in the outer position. In these cells, the Hippo pathway was strongly activated and Yap was excluded from the nuclei, thus resembling inner cells. Dissociated blastomeres of 8‐cell stage embryos form polar–apolar couplets, which exhibit different levels of nuclear Yap, and the polar cell engulfed the apolar cell. These results suggest that cell polarization at the 16‐cell stage is regulated by both Par‐aPKC‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms. Asymmetric cell division is involved in cell polarity control, and cell polarity regulates cell positioning and most likely controls Hippo signaling.
Cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2 inhibits osteogenic differentiation by modulating LIMK1 in C2C12 cells
Authors: Wang Rui , Yang Qingyuan , Xiao Weifan , Si Ruirui , Sun Fenyong , Pan Qiuhui
Published: October 2015

Cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2 (CRABP2) is essential for myoblast differentiation, however, little is known about its role in osteogenic differentiation. This study mainly aims to explore the biological functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms of CRABP2 in osteogenesis. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays, we found that the expression of CRABP2 at both mRNA and protein levels were downregulated during osteogenesis. Furthermore, CRABP2 knockdown displayed significant changes in the cell phenotype and the actin filaments (F‐actin) polymerization in C2C12 cells treated with BMP2. Moreover, the western blotting of osteogenic differentiation biomarkers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin red staining showed that CRABP2 dramatically inhibited osteogenic differentiation. The following investigation of molecular mechanisms implicated that CARBP2 specifically interacted with LIMK1, a key factor in acin cytoskeletal rearrangements in osteogenesis, to interrupt its activity and stability in an ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway to prevent C2C12 cells from osteogenic differentiation in response to BMP2. Above all, our data suggest a novel function of CRABP2 in regulating actin remodeling and osteogenic differentiation via LIMK1, thus presenting a possible molecular target for promoting the osteogenic differentiation in bone degenerative diseases.