bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors and prognostic analysis of acute-on-chronic liver failure of chronic hepatitis B after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogs
Authors: Wang Xiao-Hua , Jiang Xue-Mei , Gao Pi-Xue , Liu Qian , Yuan Jun-Hua , Chen Shi-Jun
Published: November 2019

Background

To explore the risk factors and prognostic factors related to the acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) occurrence and adverse outcome after withdrawal of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods

Hospitalized CHB patients with relapse after NAs withdrawal at our medical center were retrospectively included in the present study from January 2011 to May 2018. Logistic regression, Cox regression analysis, Kaplan–Meier log-rank test, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) were used.

Results

A total of 389 CHB patients (including 46 ACLF patients) were included. Their median age was 48.0 years; 315 patients were male and 74 were female. The age ≥30 years and HBVDNA ≤1000 copies at admission in logistic regression were the independent risk factors for ACLF after NAs withdrawal in CHB patients. In patients who developed ACLF, only the model of end-stage liver disease combining serum natrium concentration (MELD-Na) score and relapse after Lamivudine (LAM) cessation in the Cox multivariate regression analysis were independent predictors for 12-week mortality. The artificial liver support system (ALSS) showed no improvement in the 12-week survival of ACLF patients. We further defined 22.35 as the optimal cutoff value of MELD-Na score to predict 12-week mortality for ACLF patients, with the AUROC of 0.817, a sensitivity of 76.5%, and a specificity of 75.9%.

Conclusion

The age ≥30 years and HBVDNA ≤1000 copies at admission strongly correlate with occurrence of ACLF, and higher MELD-Na score and relapse after LAM withdrawal are closely related with 12-week mortality among patients with ACLF after NAs withdrawal.
Urologic treatment of nephrolithiasis
Authors: Schlomer Bruce J.
Published: November 2019

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to describe the options and recent developments in the urologic treatment of nephrolithiasis in children. The prevalence of nephrolithiasis in children has increased over time. The urologic treatment of nephrolithiasis ranges from observation to medical expulsive therapy with an alpha blocker for a stone in a ureter to a variety of procedures for stone removal.

Recent findings

Observation for small, asymptomatic renal stones is a reasonable strategy in children. Medical expulsive therapy with an alpha blocker may have a beneficial effect for passage of ureteral stones in children. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) remains an important treatment for nephrolithiasis in children. Advances in ureteroscopy with clearer digital imaging and single use ureteroscopes have made ureteroscopy more attractive. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a more invasive treatment modality but remains a good choice for children with large-stone burdens and instruments are getting smaller. Open or laparoscopic stone surgery should be reserved for unique cases.

Nephrolithiasis is increasing in children with differing urologic management options depending on the clinical scenario. A shared decision-making process with discussion of risks and benefits should be used to help patients and families choose a treatment option.
Open ankle fractures are associated with complications and reoperations
Authors: Simske Natasha M. , Audet Megan A. , Kim Chang-Yeon , Vallier Heather A.
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

To assess clinical and functional outcomes after open versus closed ankle fracture.

Design:

Retrospective comparative study.

Location:

Level 1 Trauma Center.

Patients/Participants:

1303 patients treated for ankle fractures (Weber B and C) between 2003 and 2015. One hundred sixty-five patients (12.7%) presented with open fracture and 1138 (87.3%) with closed fracture.

Intervention:

Surgical or conservative management of ankle fracture.

Main Outcome Measure:

Rates of complications and reoperations. Patient-reported functional outcomes were assessed with the Foot Function Index (FFI) and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), after a minimum of 12 months.

Results:

Mean age was 46 years and 49% of patients were male. Higher mean age was associated with open injuries (51 vs 45 years, P < 0.001), and fractures were increasingly open with aging. Open fractures were associated with high-energy mechanisms: 44% following motor vehicle or motorcycle collisions, although the majority of open fractures in patients >65 years occurred after ground-level fall. Complications occurred more often after open fracture (33% vs 11%) and necessitated more secondary procedures (19% vs. 7%), both P < 0.001. Multivariate regression analysis identified open fracture as a predictor of complications and of worse scores on the activity categories of both the FFI and SMFA.

Conclusion:

Open fractures occurred more often after high energy mechanisms, and were generally more complex than closed fractures. Advanced age was common among open fracture patients, likely contributing to higher complication and secondary procedure rates. Greater morbidity after open ankle fractures was associated with minor differences on activity functions of the FFI and SMFA.

Level of Evidence: Level 3, prognostic
Content Analysis of Patient Safety Incident Reports for Older Adult Patient Transfers, Handovers, and Discharges: Do They Serve Organizations, Staff, or Patients?
Authors: Scott Jason , Dawson Pamela , Heavey Emily , De Brún Aoife , Buttery Andy , Waring Justin , Flynn Darren
Published: November 2019

Objective

The aim of the study was to analyze content of incident reports during patient transitions in the context of care of older people, cardiology, orthopedics, and stroke.

Methods

A structured search strategy identified incident reports involving patient transitions (March 2014–August 2014, January 2015–June 2015) within 2 National Health Service Trusts (in upper and lower quartiles of incident reports/100 admissions) in care of older people, cardiology, orthopedics, and stroke. Content analysis identified the following: incident classifications; active failures; latent conditions; patient/relative involvement; and evidence of individual or organizational learning. Reported harm was interpreted with reference to National Reporting and Learning System criteria.

Results

A total 278 incident reports were analyzed. Fourteen incident classifications were identified, with pressure ulcers the modal category (n = 101,36%), followed by falls (n = 32, 12%), medication (n = 31, 11%), and documentation (n = 29, 10%). Half (n = 139, 50%) of incident reports related to interunit/department/team transfers. Latent conditions were explicit in 33 (12%) reports; most frequently, these related to inadequate resources/staff and concomitant time pressures (n = 13). Patient/family involvement was explicit in 61 (22%) reports. Patient well-being was explicit in 24 (9%) reports. Individual and organizational learning was evident in 3% and 7% of reports, respectively. Reported harm was significantly lower than coder-interpreted harm (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Incident report quality was suboptimal for individual and organizational learning. Underreporting level of harm suggests reporter bias, which requires reducing as much as practicable. System-level interventions are warranted to encourage use of staff reflective skills, emphasizing joint ownership of incidents. Co-producing incident reports with other clinicians involved in the transition and patients/relatives could optimize organizational learning.
Weight gain and integrase inhibitors
Authors: Eckard Allison Ross , McComsey Grace A.
Published: November 2019

Purpose of review

Weight gain and obesity among people living with HIV (PLWH) is a serious problem that occurs often after initiation of antiretroviral therapy but may be worse with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). This article comprehensively reviews available data and summarizes our current understanding of the topic.

Recent findings

Recent studies support the concept that weight gain and treatment emergent obesity are worse with INSTI-based regimens, particularly dolutegravir. Women and nonwhites appear to be the most at risk, and the accompanying nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor may play a role. Lipohypertrophy, an abnormal accumulation of visceral fat and/or ectopic fat depots, continues to be a problem among PLWH, but the role of INSTIs is inconsistent. The pathogenesis of weight gain and changes in body composition in HIV, especially with INSTIs, is poorly understood but may lead to serious comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Although INSTI-based regimens are highly efficacious for viral suppression, they appear to cause more weight gain and treatment emergent obesity than non-INSTI-based regimens and may increase the risk of weight-related comorbidities. More studies are needed to understand the pathogenesis of weight gain with INSTIs in PLWH, in order to prevent this serious complication.
18F-FDG Imaging of a Case of Disseminated Nocardiosis
Authors: Playe Margot , Einfalt Margot , Toch Sinn Rithy , Froissart Antoine , Bodardel Gérald
Published: November 2019

Nocardiosis is an uncommon infection caused by ubiquitous environmental aerobic gram-positive filamentous bacteria, present in soil and water. Skin and lungs are usually the main targets of localized infections. Rarely, disseminated forms can occur in immunocompromised individuals. A 63-year-old man with a history of late-onset asthma and nasal and sinus polyposis treated with oral low-dose corticosteroid regimen presented with fever, headache, myalgia, skin erythematous plaques, and pustules. Brain MRI revealed multiple abscesses and pachymeningitis. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed to assess the extent of the infection. Cutaneous samples and sputum culture isolated Nocardia brasiliensis, confirming diagnosis of disseminated nocardiosis.
Odor-mediated contextual learning induced memory consolidation and hippocampus development in neonate rat
Authors: Cao Junfei , Xu Jinyong , Chen Sha , Fan Fangfang , Chen Mingyu , Liu Fangyu , Li Guangwu
Published: November 2019

The hippocampus in neonatal rats is not fully developed after birth, and the effect of odor-aversion learning on memory consolidation in the immature hippocampus is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the effects of odor-aversion learning in neonatal rats on memory consolidation and neurodevelopment in the immature hippocampus. The effect of hippocampal-induced learning was measured at two different developmental stages using the Y-maze and c-Fos protein levels. Furthermore, hippocampal cell proliferation and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) expression were evaluated at different developmental stages, namely, postnatal day 7 (PN7) and PN24, after odor-aversion learning. Both PN7 and PN24 rats avoided conditioned odor stimuli after odor-aversion learning. PN7 and PN24 rats in the odor-averse learning groups exhibited high c-Fos protein levels. PN7 rats exhibited high cell proliferation rates and GAP-43 protein levels after odor-aversion learning. These results showed that the immature hippocampus can participated in odor-aversion learning, which may induce cell proliferation and axonal development.
Linear reinforcement learning: Flexible reuse of computation in planning, grid fields, and cognitive control
Authors: Piray Payam , Daw Nathaniel D.
Published: November 2019

It is thought that the brain’s judicious reuse of previous computation underlies our ability to plan flexibly, but also that inappropriate reuse gives rise to inflexibilities like habits and compulsion. Yet we lack a complete, realistic account of either. Building on control engineering, we introduce a new model for decision making in the brain that reuses a temporally abstracted map of future events to enable biologically-realistic, flexible choice at the expense of specific, quantifiable biases. It replaces the classic nonlinear, model-based optimization with a linear approximation that softly maximizes around (and is weakly biased toward) a default policy. This solution exposes connections between seemingly disparate phenomena across behavioral neuroscience, notably flexible replanning with biases and cognitive control. It also gives new insight into how the brain can represent maps of long-distance contingencies stably and componentially, as in entorhinal response fields, and exploit them to guide choice even under changing goals.
An oral inoculation infant rabbit model forShigellainfection
Authors: Kuehl Carole J. , D’Gama Jonathan D. , Warr Alyson R. , Waldor Matthew K.
Published: November 2019

Shigellaspecies cause diarrheal disease globally. Shigellosis is typically characterized by bloody stools and colitis with mucosal damage and is the leading bacterial cause of diarrheal death worldwide. Following oral ingestion, the pathogen invades and replicates within the colonic epithelium through mechanisms that rely on its type III secretion system (T3SS). Currently, oral infection-based small animal models to study the pathogenesis of shigellosis are lacking. Here, we found that oro-gastric inoculation of infant rabbits withS. flexneriresulted in diarrhea and colonic pathology resembling that found in human shigellosis. Fasting animals prior toS. flexneriinoculation increased the frequency of disease. The pathogen colonized the colon, where both luminal and intraepithelial foci were observed. The intraepithelial foci likely arise throughS. flexnerispreading from cell-to-cell. RobustS. flexneriintestinal colonization, invasion of the colonic epithelium, and epithelial sloughing all required the T3SS as well as IcsA, a factor required for bacterial spreading and adhesion in vitro. Expression of the proinflammatory chemokine IL-8, detected with in situ mRNA labeling, was higher in animals infected with wild-typeS. flexneriversus mutant strains deficient inicsAor T3SS, suggesting that epithelial invasion promotes expression of this chemokine. Collectively, our findings suggest that oral infection of infant rabbits offers a useful experimental model for studies of the pathogenesis of shigellosis and for testing of new therapeutics.

Importance

Shigellaspecies are the leading bacterial cause of diarrheal death globally. The pathogen causes bacillary dysentery, a bloody diarrheal disease characterized by damage to the colonic mucosa and is usually spread through the fecal-oral route. Small animal models of shigellosis that rely on the oral route of infection are lacking. Here, we found that oro-gastric inoculation of infant rabbits withS. flexneriled to a diarrheal disease and colonic pathology reminiscent of human shigellosis. Diarrhea, intestinal colonization and pathology in this model were dependent on theS. flexneritype III secretion system and IcsA, canonicalShigellavirulence factors. Thus, oral infection of infant rabbits offers a feasible model to study the pathogenesis of shigellosis and to develop and test new therapeutics.
Serpentine mountain uplift in northern Japan triggered the divergence of a narrow endemic from a widespread (sub)arctic Asia-Alaska species complex ofLagotis(Plantaginaceae)
Authors: Sugano Atsushi , Fukuda Tomoko , Murai Yoshinori , Chernyagina Olga A , Yoshihisa Suyama , Tsunamoto Yoshihiro , Tsuboi Hayato , Nishikawa Yoko , Shimamura Takashi , Fujita Hiroko , Nakamura Koh
Published: December 2019

In the circumboreal region, plants often have extremely-wide species ranges.Lagotis minor-glaucaspecies complex widespread from (sub)arctic Asia to Alaska, however, have two allied narrow endemics in northern Japan: a serpentine plantL. takedanaendemic to the Yubari Mountains (Mt. Yubari) and a non-serpentine plantL. yesoensisendemic to the Taisetsu Mountains (Mt. Taisetsu). Elucidating their origins sheds light on drivers for secondary-speciation of widespread circumboreal plants. To infer phylogenetic distinctiveness of two narrow endemics with those related taxa, which contained 25 out of all the 29 species of the genus, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA), nuclear ribosomal (nrITS), two low copy nuclear gene (LCN) markers and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping (MIG-seq) were used. In the result of cpDNA analyses, theLagotis minor-glaucaspecies complex formed a clade. Within the clade,L. yesoensisand a portion ofL. glaucasamples formed a subclade. However, monophyly of each of the four species was not supported. In the results of nrITS and two LCN analyses,L. takedanawas monophyletic, while monophyly was not recovered for eachL. yesoensis, L. glauca, andL. minor. Based on a Bayesian dating analysis using nrITS data, the age of the most recent common ancestor ofL. takedanawas Ma (95% confidence interval: 0.05-1.75 Ma). Possible scenario is that an ancestral linage being adapted to serpentine soils migrated into the alpine habitat of Mt. Yubari, that was formed with mountain uplift by the early Pleistocene, and subsequently reproductively isolated from non-serpentine populations and speciated. The contrasting result ofL. yesoensis, that was phylogenetically indistinct, is possibly explained by incorrect taxonomy, or alternatively, shallow history and incomplete lineage sorting. In Mt. Taisetsu, massive volcanic eruptions had occurred the Early Pleistocene and even after the last glacial period, suggesting that alpine plants have not migrated into and established populations in Mt. Taisetsu until very recently. To fully resolve the phylogeny of the three speciesL. yesoensis, L. glauca, andL. minor, further analyses using high resolution molecular markers are needed. The present study illustrated that two narrow endemics in northern Japan diverged from the widespread species include phylogenetically distinctive and indistinctive species, owing to historical orogeny and ecological factors.
Chemokine-biased robust self-organizing polarization of migrating cells in vivo
Authors: Olguin-Olguin Adan , Aalto Anne , Maugis Benoît , Reichman-Fried Michal , Raz Erez
Published: November 2019

The mechanisms facilitating the establishment of front-rear polarity in migrating cells are not fully understood, in particular in the context of bleb-driven directional migration. To gain further insight into this issue we utilized the migration of zebrafish primordial germ cells (PGCs) as an in vivo model. We followed the molecular and morphological cascade that converts apolar cells into polarized bleb-forming motile cells and analyzed the cross dependency among the different cellular functions we identified. Our results underline the critical role of antagonistic interactions between the front and the rear, in particular the role of biophysical processes including formation of barriers and transport of specific proteins to the back of the cell. These interactions direct the formation of blebs to a specific part of the cell that is specified as the cell front. In this way, spontaneous cell polarization facilitates non-directional cell motility and when biased by chemokine signals leads to migration towards specific locations.
Statistical approach for …a test chemical is considered to be positive… in regulatory toxicology: Trend and pairwise tests
Authors: Hothorn Ludwig A.
Published: December 2019

In regulatory toxicology an outcome is claimed positive when both a trend is significant and any pairwise test against control. Two statistical approaches are proposed: a joint Dunnett and Williams test (assuming the dose as a qualitative factor) and a joint test of the Tukey regression test and Dunnett test (assuming the dose as a quantitative covariate). Related R software is available.
Differentiation of economic and financial cycles and the logic of China’s monetary policy reform
Authors: Fan Conglai , Jiechao Gao
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In recent years, with the gradual differentiation of economic and financial cycles, it has been increasingly difficult for monetary policies to remain balanced in stabilizing both economy and finance. Taking the period of 1999–2017 as a sample, the purpose of this paper is to find whether the synergy between the growth cycle and the price cycle is constantly improving in the economic cycle is more appropriate.

Design/methodology/approach

The key to stabilizing the economic cycle lies in the monetary policy and it should abandon the goal of boosting growth in a timely manner and turn into the goal of maintaining steady growth. At present, quantitative monetary policy is still more effective than price-oriented monetary policy in smoothing the economic cycle.

Findings

The impact of quantitative regulation on the financial cycle is more neutral, whereas price regulation will increase the volatility of price and financial cycles in the course of smoothing the growth cycle. In view of the continuous differentiation between the economic and financial cycles, it is realistic and reasonable to accelerate the establishment of a sound dual-pillar regulatory framework of “monetary policy and macro-prudential policy.”

Originality/value

The macro-prudential policy is specially used to smooth the financial cycle, so as to reduce the burden and increase the efficiency of the monetary policy on regulating economic cycle. Moreover, the transformation of monetary policy to price-oriented regulation must keep pace with the construction of the dual-pillar regulation framework and complement each other to prevent undesirable consequences in the financial sector. On the other hand, monetary policy still needs to rely on quantitative regulation in the future. The research in this paper also provides a new perspective for understanding the internal and external reform of China’s monetary policy in recent years.
Structure prediction of multi-principal element alloys using ensemble learning
Authors: Choudhury Amitava , Konnur Tanmay , Chattopadhyay P.P. , Pal Snehanshu
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, is to predict the various phases and crystal structure from multi-component alloys. Nowadays, the concept and strategies of the development of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) significantly increase the count of the potential candidate of alloy systems, which demand proper screening of large number of alloy systems based on the nature of their phase and structure. Experimentally obtained data linking elemental properties and their resulting phases for MPEAs is profused; hence, there is a strong scope for categorization/classification of MPEAs based on structural features of the resultant phase along with distinctive connections between elemental properties and phases.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, several machine-learning algorithms have been used to recognize the underlying data pattern using data sets to design MPEAs and classify them based on structural features of their resultant phase such as single-phase solid solution, amorphous and intermetallic compounds. Further classification of MPEAs having single-phase solid solution is performed based on crystal structure using an ensemble-based machine-learning algorithm known as random-forest algorithm.

Findings

The model developed by implementing random-forest algorithm has resulted in an accuracy of 91 per cent for phase prediction and 93 per cent for crystal structure prediction for single-phase solid solution class of MPEAs. Five input parameters are used in the prediction model namely, valence electron concentration, difference in the pauling negativeness, atomic size difference, mixing enthalpy and mixing entropy. It has been found that the valence electron concentration is the most important feature with respect to prediction of phases. To avoid overfitting problem, fivefold cross-validation has been performed. To understand the comparative performance, different algorithms such as K-nearest Neighbor, support vector machine, logistic regression, naïve-based approach, decision tree and neural network have been used in the data set.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors described the phase selection and crystal structure prediction mechanism in MPEA data set and have achieved better accuracy using machine learning.
Psychology and behavioral finance
Authors: Bouteska Ahmed , Regaieg Boutheina
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detect quantitatively the existence of anchoring bias among financial analysts on the Tunisian stock market. Both non-parametric and parametric methods are used.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies have been conducted over the period 2010–2014. A first analysis is non-parametric, based on observations of the sign taking by the surprise of result announcement according to the evolution of earning per share (EPS). A second analysis uses simple and multiple linear regression methods to quantify the anchor bias.

Findings

Non-parametric results show that in the majority of cases, the earning per share variations are followed by unexpected earnings surprises of the same direction, which verify the hypothesis of an anchoring bias of financial analysts to the past benefits. Parametric results confirm these first findings by testing different psychological anchors’ variables. Financial analysts are found to remain anchored to the previous benefits and carry out insufficient adjustments following the announcement of the results by the companies. There is also a tendency for an over/under-reaction in changes in forecasts. Analysts’ behavior is asymmetrical depending on the sign of the forecast changes: an over-reaction for positive prediction changes and a negative reaction for negative prediction changes.

Originality/value

The evidence provided in this paper largely validates the assumptions derived from the behavioral theory particularly the lessons learned by Kaestner (2005) and Amir and Ganzach (1998). The authors conclude that financial analysts on the Tunisian stock market suffer from anchoring, optimism, over and under-reaction biases when announcing the earnings.
Effects of personality, education and opportunities on entrepreneurial intentions
Authors: Ng Hee Song , Hung Kee Daisy Mui , Khan Mohammad Jamal
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of proactive personality (PP), entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurial opportunities (EO) on shaping entrepreneurial intentions (EI) among university students through attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) according to Ajzen’s (1985) theory of planned behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used questionnaires to collect data from university students enroled in undergraduate programmes. A total of 209 surveys were successfully collected. SPSS and SmartPLS 3.0 software were used to analyse and test nine hypotheses derived from the intentions-centred model.

Findings

The results supported seven hypotheses. There were positive relationships between PP and ATE; PP and PBC; EE and ATE; EO and ATE; EO and PBC; ATE and EI; and PBC and EI. However, there were no relationships between EE and PBC, and subjective norms and EI.

Research limitations/implications

This study used a cross-sectional survey and self-report data which hinder conclusively making correlational inferences. In addition, the various developmental stages of students may influence perceptions of EI.

Practical implications

The empirical findings provide new insights for policymakers, educators and academics about the antecedents governing EI. This study also enhances the understanding of the preconditions for EI, which can be utilised by practitioners to encourage and manage graduate entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This study advances an intentions-based model which suggests a simultaneous presence of the three core factors, PP, EE and EO for an effective formation of EI. By doing so, the study addresses the issue of the scarcity of investigations on the combined effects, thus closing the research gap and bringing new perspective to the antecedents-intentions nexus of graduate entrepreneurship.
All education for some? International development and shadow education in Cambodia
Authors: Brehm Will , Aktas Fatih
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare two UNESCO reports on educational development in Cambodia, one from 1955 and the other from 2010, in order to understand how the global education development agenda has impacted shadow education.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted through a textual comparison of two UNESCO reports written 50 years apart.

Findings

Although the educational problems facing Cambodia were similar in both reports, the recommendations differed in important ways. The 1955 report advised the country to expand slowly access to education in order to maintain quality, while the 2010 recommended quickly expanding access. A major difference found in the reports regarded the issue of fees in schooling, which did not appear in 1955. School fees in Cambodia are typically extracted through the system of private tutoring, known in the academic literature as shadow education. Such an insight, this paper argues, suggests that the difference in development approach between the two reports is one of the reasons shadow education has flourished in the country.

Originality/value

Through a historical comparison of development efforts in one country, it becomes clear that the education development agenda is partly to blame for the rise of shadow education.
A comparison of workplace-related labels in Switzerland
Authors: Gabathuler Michael , Kirschner Michael
Published: November 2019

Purpose

In Switzerland, the first and only Swiss quality label for systematic workplace health management (WHM) competes with a variety of national and international workplace-related labels for the attention of employers. The purpose of this paper is to compare the label “Friendly Work Space” (FWS) with ten other national and international workplace-related labels on the “Swiss label market” and to identify key success elements for the development and dissemination of WHM labels.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and qualitative analysis of publicly available documents were conducted. Information was obtained from providers or by the authors’ own research. A description of workplace-related labels is presented based on defined criteria and a typology classifying workplace-related labels available in Switzerland.

Findings

Workplace-related labels can be differentiated in terms of: deliberate registration vs non-requested selection, policy vs marketing approach and assessment vs survey-based analysis. In terms of sustainable dissemination, FWS is the most successful registration-based label in Switzerland regarding the number of employees and employers benefitting from the label. Therefore, it constitutes a best practice approach for developing and disseminating a WHM label.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to systematically analyse and compare a WHM with other workplace-related labels on a national market (supply and demand, quality, dissemination). The authors suggest a specific typology to describe the market. Recommendations are given to build up and successfully disseminate a WHM label on a national scale.
The association between self-reported health, late career transitions and working time modulations in England
Authors: Wels Jacques
Published: November 2019

Purpose

There is an emerging literature focusing on the impact of late career transitions on health, but little is known so far about the role working time modulations might play in explaining older workers’ health. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Waves 4–7, the paper assesses the association between the different types of change in working time, the total weekly working hours at baseline and the level of income and the change in Self-perceived health (SPH). The model controls for financial wealth, qualification, gender, age, the sector of activity and self-reported health at baseline.

Findings

Respondents who retire have a better SPH compared with those who keep working at constant working time. Those who work long hours benefit more from retiring. Respondents working long hours before being unemployed tend to be less affected by a negative change in SPH. Those who reduce working time by 50 per cent or more and work long hours at baseline have lower probabilities to be affected by a negative change in SPH compared with those who work fewer hours. Finally, low-paid workers are those who benefit the most from retiring or reducing working time.

Social implications

Results point out the need to foster working time arrangements for low-paid workers to prevent adverse health impacts.

Originality/value

There is a significant association between change in working time and change in self-reported health that has not been examined by previous studies.
The effects of gamified flipped instruction on learner performance and need satisfaction
Authors: Zainuddin Zamzami , Shujahat Muhammad , Chu Samuel K.W. , Haruna Hussein , Farida Ratna
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to assess students’ learning performance and perceived need satisfaction between a gamified flipped classroom (GFC) and flipped classroom (FC) instruction in a low-tech setting. The iSpring Learn learning management system was used as a low-tech gamification application in gamifying the flipped learning class.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was used for collecting the data. Three formative assessments were used to examine students’ learning performance during the intervention period, and a post-questionnaire survey was used to support the data collection process with regard to students’ perceived needs satisfaction. In total, 56 students were involved in a non-randomised experiment with a control group design.

Findings

The results reveal that Assessment 1 showed no significant difference between the two intervention groups (p> 0.05), while Assessments 2 and 3 were significantly different (p< 0.05). The survey results confirm that participants in the GFC have achieved a great level of motivation because their innate psychological needs for competence, autonomy and relatedness are satisfied.

Practical implications

The use of game-like features can be a powerful means to produce more engaging and fun activities in the FC context. The study has confirmed that integrating the gamification concept into FC instruction by adding challenges, incentives, points and rewards to quiz questions promoted a more engaging and enjoyable experience for learners.

Originality/value

Gamification as a current concept of a twenty-first-century instructional skill has proven to be remarkably influential. This study suggests that the FC and gamification concept might be possibly implemented in a low-tech information environment – without the required advanced technology platform.
Frontline meetings as support for cross-boundary coordination in hospitals
Authors: Prætorius Thim , Hasle Peter
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate frontline meetings in hospitals and how they are used for coordination of daily operations across organizational and occupational boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth multiple-case study of four purposefully selected departments from four different hospitals is conducted. The selected cases had actively developed and embedded scheduled meetings as structural means to achieve coordination of daily operations.

Findings

Health care professionals and managers, next to their traditional mono-professional meetings (e.g. doctors or nurses), develop additional operational, daily meetings such as work-shift meetings, huddles and hand-off meetings to solve concrete care tasks. These new types of meetings are typically short, task focussed, led by a chair and often inter-disciplinary. The meetings secure a personal proximity which the increased dependency on hospital-wide IT solutions cannot. During meetings, objects and representations (e.g. monitors, whiteboards or paper cards) create a needed gathering point to span across boundaries. As regards embedding meetings, local engagement helps contextualizing meetings and solving concrete care tasks, thereby making health care professionals more likely to value these daily meeting spaces.

Practical implications

Health care professionals and managers can use formal meeting spaces aided by objects and representations to support solving daily and interdependent health care tasks in ways that IT solutions in hospitals do not offer today. Implementation requires local engagement and contextualization.

Originality/value

This research paper shows the importance of daily, operational hospital meetings for frontline coordination. Organizational meetings are a prevalent collaborative activity, yet scarcely researched organizational phenomenon.
Effect of guest demographics on perception of hotel room price
Authors: Hong Jinhua , Repetti Toni , Erdem Mehmet , Henthorne Tony
Published: December 2019

Purpose

A review of past scholarly work on pricing issues in hospitality has revealed a lack of focus on customers’ demographic profiles. However, research in other disciplines reveals that understanding price perception differences among groups of customers with different demographics, including culture, is an important consideration when offering pricing strategies. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of pricing research by exploring the effect of hotel guests’ demographics on their perception of hotel room prices.

Design/methodology/approach

Through Qualtrics, data were collected from 414 respondents who stayed at a mid-scale hotel within the past 24 months. The respondents’ perceived value (PV), perceived fairness (PF) and willingness to pay (WTP) for hotel rooms were examined with MANOVA and ANOVA tests to determine the effects of customer demographics on these variables.

Findings

Age, gender and marital status showed a significant effect on PV while age, gender and culture significantly affected PF. However, none of these variables significantly affected WTP. The culture of origin and the culture raised-in influenced PV, PF and WTP similarly.

Originality/value

This study reconciles several divergent results from previous studies and extends the scope of others by introducing different scenarios to each of the three dependent variables. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the first research study on this subject to evaluate more than two cultures and their effects on the independent variables.
Country image and destination image of Brazil in relation to information sources
Authors: Jeannie Hahm Jeeyeon , Tasci Asli D.A.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure country image and destination image of Brazil and identify influential information sources as image agents that help forming these images.

Design/methodology/approach

An online sample of respondents residing in the USA was surveyed using a structured survey design. County image, destination image and information sources were measured using seven-point Likert scales. Frequencies, descriptives, correlation analyses, t-test and ordinary least squares regression were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings revealed that Brazil’s destination image is stronger than its country image. Brazil’s destination image is rated above the middle rank (4) on the seven-point scale, the strongest attributes being scenic beauty, beaches and water attractions. Its country image, on the other hand, is below the middle rank (4) on the seven-point scale. Correlated with seven of the nine country image items, general knowledge from school is potentially the most influential agent for country image while word-of-mouth, printed or online news media and TV programs are potentially the most influential agent for destination image.

Originality/value

The image of Brazil has not been a focus of existing empirical research. Also, this study bridges the gap between country image and destination image in relation to information sources.
Intellectual capital based reputation for market internationalization
Authors: Ulubeyli Serdar , Yorulmaz Dilek
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the possible impact of intellectual capital (IC) on firm reputation (FR) and investigates if there is a relationship between FR and market internationalization (MI).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from engineering consultancy firms (ECFs) in Turkey. The study employed structural equation modeling to examine the hypothesized relationships between IC, FR, and MI of ECFs.

Findings

ECFs with strong human and structural capital can have a good FR. However, healthy relational capital may not lead to the same effect on FR. On the contrary, FR can create high-quality relational capital for ECFs. Lastly, a good FR, based on robust human and structural capital, can provide the success of ECFs’ MI process.

Research limitations/implications

This model may be analyzed for other knowledge-intensive business services. Also, subsequent researches may investigate potential variations in results about other sectors and geographical areas. Moreover, various constructs may be included in the model. However, a greater number of samples could lead to distinctive outcomes.

Practical implications

The research may be a general guide for related professionals and their companies to build long-term strategies, given IC, FR and MI. In this respect, they should take into account human and structural capital for MI.

Social implications

ECFs that can be active in the international arena may maintain their services by financial sustainability. Thus, the advantage may result in a prosperous society.

Originality/value

The study is first to suggest a model joining IC and FR for the MI process of ECFs. This is suitable for competition of ECFs that are willing to be sustainable firms.
Does postgraduate degree make any difference in job performance of information professionals?
Authors: Hashmi Farhana , Ameen Kanwal , Soroya Saira
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Since 2005, various public and private sector institutions have been offering a postgraduate degree in Library and Information Management (LIM) in Pakistan and a good number of professionals working in different sectors have got MPhil degree. However, locally, no study has been conducted to measure the impact of higher education on the job performance of information professionals (IPs) in any aspect. The purpose of this paper is to measure job performance of MPhil degree (18 years of education) holder IPs.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a quantitative study based on the theoretical framework of job performance comprised of its four constructs, i.e. task performance, contextual performance, counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) and adaptive performance. An adopted self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from professionals who have graduated from any LIM schools of the Punjab province with at least one-year work experience after completion of MPhil degrees. For the purpose of the present study, demographic information like age, job experience and library context was also asked about to explore their impact on job performance.

Findings

Findings revealed that MPhil degree has a significant positive impact on the job performance of IPs. The professionals reported a significant positive change in their CWB regarding experience after getting a degree. Furthermore, results revealed that professionals were capable of technical skills but needed training regarding time management, teamwork and improving emotional intelligence.

Originality/value

This is the first study reported from Pakistan on the subject. The results of the study may help the LIM schools to review their MPhil programs for the desired results. It may also help organizations to encourage their personnel for higher education.
Effects of nature-based mindfulness training on resilience/symptom load in professionals with high work-related stress-levels: findings from the WIN-Study
Authors: Lücke Caroline , Braumandl Sylvia , Becker Bernhard , Moeller Sebastian , Custal Christina , Philipsen Alexandra , Müller Helge H.O.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The levels of work-related stress and the incidence rates of subsequent related illnesses are increasing in our society, leading to high individual and socioeconomic burdens. Mindfulness training has been shown to be an effective method of improving stress resilience. This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of nature-based mindfulness training in professionals with high levels of work-related stress.

Design/methodology/approach

In this controlled pilot study, a total of 56 volunteers completed a nature-based mindfulness training progam and were compared to 8 participants (waitlist controls). Psychometric assessments were performed at baseline and after two and four months of training.

Findings

After two months of training, the scores for self-efficacy, sense of coherence, level of mindfulness and overall psychiatric symptom load had significantly improved in the intervention group, while the control group did not show any significant improvements. A comparison between the intervention and control groups showed a significant difference regarding the sense of coherence only.

Research limitations/implications

Since this was an exploratory study with a small control group, further studies are needed to verify our findings.

Practical implications

In conclusion, nature-based mindfulness training seems to be a promising tool for the improvement of resilience and overall psychological health in professionals.

Originality/value

This was the first study to systematically investigate effects of nature-based mindfulness training in people with high work-related stress.
An applied model for predicting memory effects of flexible polyurethane foams
Authors: Elfarhani Makram , Mkaddem Ali , Alzahrani Ahmed A. , Bin Mahfouz Abdullah S. , Jarraya Abdessalem , Haddar Mohamed
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The efficiency of fractional derivative and hereditary combined approach in modeling viscoelastic behavior of soft foams was successfully addressed in Elfarhani et al. (2016a). Since predictions obtained on flexible polyurethane foam (FPF) type A (density 28 kg m−3) were found very promoting, the purpose of this paper is to apply the approach basing on two other types of foams. Both soft polyurethane foams type B of density 42 kg m−3 and type C of density 50 kg m−3 were subjected to multi-cycles compressive tests.

Design/methodology/approach

The total foam response is assumed to be the sum of a non-linear elastic component and viscoelastic component. The elastic force is modeled by a seven-order polynomial function of displacement. The hereditary approach was applied during the loading half-cycles to simulate the short memory effects while the fractional derivative approach was applied during unloading cycles to simulate the long memory effects. An identification methodology based on the separation of the measurements of each component force was developed to avoid parameter admixture problems.

Findings

The proposed model reveals good reliability in predicting the responses of the two considered flexible foams. Predictions as measurements establish that residual responses were negligible compared to elastic and viscoelastic damping responses.

Originality/value

The development of a new combined model reveals good reliability in predicting the responses of the two polyurethane foams type A and B.