bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in Patients With Primary Hyperaldosteronism
Authors: Colvin Jennifer , Krishnamurthy Vikram , Jin Judy , Shin Joyce , Siperstein Allan , Berber Eren
Published: July 2017

Background:

Over the last decade, robotic approaches have been described for removing adrenal tumors. Although there are reports comparing robotic and laparoscopic techniques in general, there are limited data on outcomes in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA). The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of robotic adrenalectomy (RA) versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for PHA.

Materials and Methods:

The records of 20 patients who underwent RA for PHA were compared with 16 patients who underwent LA between 2000 and 2014. Data were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained, IRB-approved adrenal database. Statistical analysis was performed using t test and the Fisher exact analysis. Continuous variables are reported as mean±SEM.

Results:

Demographic and clinical parameters were similar between the groups. There were no conversions to open in either group. Estimated blood loss, length of stay, and complication rates were comparable. Operative time was shorter in the robotic versus laparoscopic group (130±8.94 vs. 159±11.1 min, P=0.0487). In follow-up, the improvement in patients’ blood pressure after adrenalectomy, as assessed by the reduction in the number of antihypertensive medications, was similar between the 2 groups. However, 1 patient in the RA and 1 patient in the LA group were not cured, as determined by postoperative aldosterone:renin levels. The biochemical cure rate between the groups was similar (P=0.529).

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing robotic versus laparoscopic resection of PHA. Our results show that the robotic approach was similar to laparoscopic regarding safety and efficacy. Operative time was shorter with the robotic approach, which could be related to more efficient dissection with wristed instrumentation.
Is Something Missing From Antenatal Education? A Survey of Pregnant Women's Knowledge of Pelvic Floor Disorders
Authors: Geynisman-Tan Julia M. , Taubel Debra , Asfaw Tirsit S.
Published: July 2017

Objective

This study aimed to describe the knowledge on pelvic floor disorders among a cross section of pregnant women.

Study Design

This was an institutional review board–approved cross-sectional survey study of pregnant women with a gestational age of more than 18 weeks at a single tertiary care institution. Participants completed the validated 24-item Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire, and responses were graded to determine a raw accuracy score (0–100%). Proficiency in the topic was defined as a score greater than 80% on the urinary scale and greater than 50% on the prolapse scale.

Results

Four hundred two women completed the survey. Mean ± SD raw accuracy in urinary incontinence was 66% ± 12%, and mean ± SD raw accuracy in pelvic organ prolapse was 41% ± 17%. These results were not significantly different among age or ethnic groups. Pregnant women were more likely to know that delivery could lead to incontinence (62%) than to pelvic organ prolapse (42%; P = 0.02), and 83% knew that pelvic floor exercises could prevent urinary incontinence. Proficiency was low among the population on both scales.

Conclusions

Pregnant women have limited knowledge about pelvic floor dysfunction despite being at increased risk for these conditions during and after their pregnancies. This is an area where patient education and empowerment during routine prenatal care could improve.
RhlR, but not RhlI, allowsP. aeruginosabacteria to evadeDrosophilaTep4-mediated opsonization
Authors: Haller Samantha , Franchet Adrien , Hakkim Abdul , Chen Jing , Drenkard Eliana , Yu Shen , Schirmeier Stefanie , Li Zi , Ausubel Frederick M. , Liégeois Samuel , Ferrandon Dominique
Published: July 2017

WhenDrosophilaflies feed onPseudomonas aeruginosastrain PA14, some bacteria cross the intestinal barrier and start proliferating inside the hemocoel. This process is limited by hemocytes through phagocytosis. We have previously shown that the PA14 quorum-sensing regulator RhlR is required for these bacteria to elude the cellular immune response. RhlI synthesizes the auto-inducer signal that activates RhlR. Here, we compare the null mutant phenotypes ofrhlRandrhlIin a variety of infection assays inDrosophilaand in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. Surprisingly, inDrosophila, unlikeΔrhlRmutants,ΔrhlImutants are only modestly attenuated for virulence and are poorly phagocytosed and opsonized in a Thioester-containing Protein4-dependent manner. Likewise, ΔrhlIbut not ΔrhlRmutants colonize the digestive tract ofC. elegansand kill it as efficiently as wild-type PA14. Thus, RhlR has an RhlI-independent function in eluding detection or counter-acting the action of the immune system. In contrast to the intestinal infection model,Tep4mutant flies are more resistant to PA14 in a septic injury model, which also depends onrhlR. Thus, the Tep4 putative opsonin can either be protective or detrimental to host defense depending on the infection route.
Crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization of a cobalt(II) tetraazamacrocycle: completing a series of first-row transition-metal complexes
Authors: Van Heuvelen Katherine M. , Lee Isabell , Arriola Katherine , Griffin Rilke , Ye Christopher , Takase Michael K.
Published: July 2017

The tetraazamacrocyclic ligand 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (TMC) has been used to bind a variety of first-row transition metals but to date the crystal structure of the cobalt(II) complex has been missing from this series. The missing cobalt complex chlorido(1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4
N)cobalt(II) chloride dihydrate, [CoCl(C14H32N4)]Cl·2H2O or [CoIICl(TMC)]Cl·2H2O, crystallizes as a purple crystal. This species adopts a distorted square-pyramidal geometry in which the TMC ligand assumes the trans-I configuration and the chloride ion binds in the syn-methyl pocket of the ligand. The CoII ion adopts an S = 3 \over 2 spin state, as measured by the Evans NMR method, and UV–visible spectroscopic studies indicate that the title hydrated salt is stable in solution. Density functional theory (DFT) studies reveal that the geometric parameters of [CoIICl(TMC)]Cl·2H2O are sensitive to the cobalt spin state and correctly predict a change in spin state upon a minor perturbation to the ligand environment.
Stageless evaluation for a vector Preisach model based on rotational operators
Authors: Nierla Michael , Sutor Alexander , Rupitsch Stefan Johann , Kaltenbacher Manfred
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a novel stageless evaluation scheme for a vector Preisach model that exploits rotational operators for the description of vector hysteresis. It is meant to resolve the discretizational errors that arise during the application of the standard matrix-based implementation of Preisach-based models.

Design/methodology/approach

The newly developed evaluation uses a nested-list data structure. Together with an adapted form of the Everett function, it allows to represent both the additional rotational operator and the switching operator of the standard scalar Preisach model in a stageless fashion, i.e. without introducing discretization errors. Additionally, presented updating and simplification rules ensure the computational efficiency of the scheme.

Findings

A comparison between the stageless evaluation scheme and the commonly used matrix approach reveals not only an improvement in accuracy up to machine precision but, furthermore, a reduction of computational resources.

Research limitations/implications

The presented evaluation scheme is especially designed for a vector Preisach model, which is based on an additional rotational operator. A direct application to other vector Preisach models that do not rely on rotational operators is not intended. Nevertheless, the presented methodology allows an easy adaption to similar vector Preisach schemes that use modified setting rules for the rotational operator and/or the switching operator.

Originality/value

Prior to this contribution, the vector Preisach model based on rotational operators could only be evaluated using a matrix-based approach that works with discretized forms of rotational and switching operator. The presented evaluation scheme offers reduced computational cost at much higher accuracy. Therefore, it is of great interest for all users of the mentioned or similar vector Preisach models.
An integral equation formulation with global series expansion for resonant wireless power transfer
Authors: Bilicz Sándor , Pávó József , Gyimóthy Szabolcs , Badics Zsolt
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The electromagnetic modeling of inductively coupled, resonant wireless power transfer (WPT) is dealt with. This paper aims to present a numerically efficient simulation method.

Design/methodology/approach

Recently, integral equation formulations have been proposed, using piecewise constant basis functions for the series expansion of the current along the coil wire. In the present work, this scheme is improved by introducing global basis functions.

Findings

The use of global basis functions provides a stronger numerical stability and a better control over the convergence of the simulation; moreover, the associated computational cost is lower than for the previous schemes. These advantages are demonstrated in numerical examples, with special attention to the achievable efficiency of the power transfer.

Practical implications

The method can be efficiently used, e.g., in the optimal design of resonant WPT systems.

Originality/value

The presented computation scheme is original in the sense that global series expansion has not been previously applied to the numerical simulation of resonant WPT.
Explicit time integration of eddy current problems using a selective matrix update strategy
Authors: Dutiné Jennifer Susanne , Clemens Markus , Schöps Sebastian
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Discretizing the magnetic vector potential formulation of eddy current problems in space results in an infinitely stiff differential algebraic equation system that is integrated in time using implicit time integration methods. Applying a generalized Schur complement to the differential algebraic equation system yields an ordinary differential equation (ODE) system. This ODE system can be integrated in time using explicit time integration schemes by which the solution of high-dimensional nonlinear algebraic systems of equations is avoided. The purpose of this paper is to further investigate the explicit time integration of eddy current problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The resulting magnetoquasistatic Schur complement ODE system is integrated in time using the explicit Euler method taking into account the Courant–Friedrich–Levy (CFL) stability criterion. The maximum stable CFL time step can be rather small for magnetoquasistatic field problems owing to its proportionality to the smallest edge length in the mesh. Ferromagnetic materials require updating the reluctivity matrix in nonlinear material in every time step. Because of the small time-step size, it is proposed to only selectively update the reluctivity matrix, keeping it constant for as many time steps as possible.

Findings

Numerical simulations of the TEAM 10 benchmark problem show that the proposed selective update strategy decreases computation time while maintaining good accuracy for different dynamics of the source current excitation.

Originality/value

The explicit time integration of the Schur complement vector potential formulation of the eddy current problem is accelerated by updating the reluctivity matrix selectively. A strategy for this is proposed and investigated.
Female corporate leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean region
Authors: Flabbi Luca , Piras Claudia , Abrahams Scott
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Despite gender parity in the general working population, the higher up one looks in ranks within the firm the fewer women one finds. This under-representation of women in top positions at firms is purportedly even more acute in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). LAC is a large and increasingly important region of the world where women are well-represented in the workforce and are comparatively better educated than men. Documenting if this resource is utilized at full potential is therefore of crucial importance. The purpose of this paper is to document the level and impact of female representation at the executive level in the region, as no systematic study exists on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect an original database of publicly listed companies to determine prevailing gender ratios among board members and executives in LAC region. The authors then estimate whether companies with women board members are more likely to appoint women executives. Finally, the authors estimate whether measures of female leadership at the firm are correlated with company performance.

Findings

The authors find that women are as under-represented in LAC as in the USA, but much less so in the Caribbean. The authors find that companies with women board members are more likely to appoint women executives in LAC. The authors find that measures of female leadership at the firm are correlated with company performance but only regarding board membership and only when the proportion of women on the board is greater than 30 percent. Again composition effects are important. Overall, the authors conclude that the LAC region exhibits empirical regularities about under-representation of women in leadership positions at the firm that are very similar to those found for high-income countries in Europe and North America.

Originality/value

The authors are the first and so far unique systematic study exists able to document the level and impact of female representation at the executive level in the region.
Institutional contradictions and change of organisations and accounting
Authors: Thrane Sof , Balslev Lars
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how contradictions between institutional pressures shape accounting and organisational change within Air Greenland.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies document analysis and retrospective interviews to trace accounting and organisational change spanning 50 years and analyses developments on multiple levels: societal, governance and micro levels.

Findings

The paper illustrates the didactical development of the organisation and management accounting. The contradictory impetus from the institutional level generates a space where actors are able to affect development and change management accounting systems. Actors at the company level further acted on the institutional level to affect change in governance and institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The case differs from case studies in emerging countries owing to the low number of inhabitants in Greenland, its income per capita and the legislative influence asserted by Denmark, the former colonial power, restricting the generalizability of findings.

Originality/value

The paper extends extant research on development of organisations and management accounting change in developing countries through a longitudinal study of how contradictory demands from the governance and legislative levels affect accounting and organisational change. Moreover, the paper is the first case study to address management accounting practices in Greenland.
Greenhouse gas disclosures by Chinese power companies: trends, content and strategies
Authors: Momin Mahmood Ahmed , Northcott Deryl , Hossain Mohammed
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the greenhouse gas (GHG)-related disclosure trends, content and strategies of the eight most high GHG-emitting Chinese power companies, over a period when government pressure to manage GHG emissions increased.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the 2000-2009 annual reports, corporate social and environmental responsibility reports and websites of eight Chinese power companies. Content analysis results were supplemented with excerpts from documents written in English or Chinese. Legitimacy theory informed the interpretation of the findings.

Findings

GHG-related disclosures increased from 2002 when the Chinese Government ratified the Kyoto Protocol and promulgated stringent environmental regulations. However, some expected types of GHG-related disclosure were absent or rare. Disclosure practices were found to be underpinned by reputation management objectives and reflected a symbolic rather than substantive legitimation strategy.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the literature on GHG-related disclosures by carbon-intensive firms and points to the need for future research to examine such disclosures in different countries to appreciate the variety in practice.

Practical implications

While the Chinese Government appears to have driven the emergence of GHG-related disclosure practices, companies can effect improvement by expanding the scope and content of what they disclose. Also, the growing emphasis on website disclosures may present challenges in ensuring the reliability and assurance of GHG disclosures.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine GHG-related disclosure practices by Chinese power-generating companies, a sector crucial to managing the GHG effects of China’s significant economic growth.
Intervention intermediaries flourish: matching firms with solutions to complex needs
Authors: Bakici Tuba , Almirall Esteve
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main models of innovation intermediaries as determined by the matching mechanisms they offer as a service to organizations, and to reveal underlying limitations of each mechanism to have a better understanding of their appropriateness for organizational requests.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports an exploratory study of 51 online innovation intermediaries using semi-structured interviews, supported with direct observation, scientific papers and official documentary sources.

Findings

The overall findings suggest that innovation intermediaries are not homogeneous, are evolving and that the underlying mechanisms with which they support their operations vary substantially, depending on the size of the community, platform design (collaboration vs non-collaboration) and reward conditions. The study identifies five mechanisms on which the models are based: broadcast search (directed and undirected), brainstorming with ranking (directed and undirected), networking/connecting, expert group and licensing out. Some of the underlying tensions and limitations of these mechanisms are also explored as are the managerial implications for the choice and use of innovation intermediaries.

Originality/value

This paper identifies distinct models of online innovation intermediaries in significantly more depth than what has been presented so far. In addition, it discusses their limitations as a mechanism and their use to achieve a better match between innovation intermediaries and needs of solution-seeker companies.
Impact of intellectual capital on corporate performance: evidence from the Arab region
Authors: Dzenopoljac Vladimir , Yaacoub Chadi , Elkanj Nasser , Bontis Nick
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to fill a gap in the intellectual capital (IC) literature by providing insights into the relationship between IC and corporate performance among Arab companies and second, to challenge the validity of the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) as a measure of IC’s contribution to performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample included 100 publicly traded Arab companies selected by Forbes Middle East and ranked as top performers in terms of sales, profits, assets, and market value. The methodology included assessing the impact of IC components on company earnings, profitability, efficiency, and market performance for the period between 2011 and 2015. Research hypotheses were tested through the presentation of descriptive statistics, normality tests, correlation matrix, and multiple regression models.

Findings

The research yielded ambiguous results. Earnings and profitability were significantly affected by structural and physical capital; efficiency was determined primarily by physical capital; and market performance was mainly influenced by human capital.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the research comes from disadvantages of VAIC as the measure of IC’s contributions to performance.

Originality/value

The paper fills a void in the study of IC and corporate performance among Arab companies.
Enhanced business reporting: value relevance and determinants of valuation-related disclosures
Authors: Reitmaier Christine , Schultze Wolfgang
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Enhanced business reporting (EBR) seeks to address the information needs of investors when making company valuations for investment decisions. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relevance for market valuation of EBR disclosures that are directly related to firm valuation (value-based reporting (VBR)).

Design/methodology/approach

Data are hand collected from annual reports of German publicly listed companies over five years. The content analysis is based on the valuation-related disclosure framework of the German Schmalenbach Society of Business Administration. A 2SLS approach accounts for potential endogeneity.

Findings

Share-based compensation, leverage, corporate size, and share volatility are significant determinants of VBR. The level of VBR is significantly associated with market values and provides additional market value explanatory power, indicating its relevance to investors in the process of valuation and decision making. Also, the relevance of book value and earnings for explaining market values increases for firms with better VBR. The findings are robust to the exclusion of banks and assurance companies and to alternative model and variable specifications.

Research limitations/implications

The research contributes to the literature on voluntary disclosures by testing an EBR framework explicitly derived from valuation theory. The results provide indirect evidence of the investors’ use of respective valuation techniques in decision making. A contribution is made to the value relevance literature by showing that valuation-related disclosures constitute a suitable proxy for “other information” in the Ohlson’s (1995) model. Such disclosures complement traditional accounting metrics, i.e. book value and earnings, as basis for valuations. Potential caveats relate to the content analysis of annual reports and the endogeneity of voluntary disclosures.

Originality/value

This paper informs the debate on further developments of EBR in helping to identify important components thereof.
The influence of conflict and intuition on explorative new products and performance in SMEs
Authors: Zacca Robert , Dayan Mumin , Elbanna Said
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of conflict and intuition on explorative new products and performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a theoretical model that was tested using two survey instruments: one instrument was administered to the owners of 150 SMEs within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the second was administered to senior managers within the same SMEs.

Findings

The results show that within the decision-making process both objective and personal conflicts drive decision makers to the use of intuition, with high levels of market turbulence strengthening the effect of objective conflict on the use of intuition. Furthermore, the use of intuition was found to have an adverse effect on explorative new products, negating the positive effectiveness of explorative new products on SME performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s conceptual model may not completely represent the perspective it aims to elucidate. An alternative model with equally well-conceived explanatory variables could provide further interesting results.

Practical implications

Drawing on the perspective of the decision-making process, an interpretation of the model results and some practical implications are discussed.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of this study is the introduction of a model investigating the influence of conflict on the use of intuition in strategic decisions. Furthermore, the study collected empirical evidence from SMEs operating in the dynamic economy of the UAE, which is a less studied setting.
Trends in Medicare Service Volume for Cataract Surgery and the Impact of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Authors: Gong Dan , Jun Lin , Tsai James C.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To calculate the associations between Medicare payment and service volume for complex and noncomplex cataract surgeries.

Data Sources

The 2005–2009 CMS Part B National Summary Data Files, CMS Part B Carrier Summary Data Files, and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Study Design

Conducting a retrospective, longitudinal analysis using a fixed‐effects model of Medicare Part B carriers representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia from 2005 to 2009, we calculated the Medicare payment–service volume elasticities for noncomplex (CPT 66984) and complex (CPT 66982) cataract surgeries.

Data Extraction

Service volume data were extracted from the CMS Part B National Summary and Carrier Summary Data Files. Payment data were extracted from the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Principal Findings

From 2005 to 2009, the proportion of total cataract services billed as complex increased from 3.2 to 6.7 percent. Every 1 percent decrease in Medicare payment was associated with a nonsignificant change in noncomplex cataract service volume (elasticity = 0.15, 95 percent CI [−0.09, 0.38]) but a statistically significant increase in complex cataract service volume (elasticity = −1.12, 95 percent CI [−1.60, −0.63]).

Conclusions

Reduced Medicare payment was associated with a significant increase in complex cataract service volume but not in noncomplex cataract service volume, resulting in a shift toward performing a greater proportion of complex cataract surgeries from 2005 to 2009.
Does Maternity Care Coordination Influence Perinatal Health Care Utilization? Evidence from North Carolina
Authors: Hillemeier Marianne M. , Domino Marisa E. , Wells Rebecca , Goyal Ravi K. , Kum Hye‐Chung , Cilenti Dorothy , Basu Anirban
Published: July 2017

Objective

To examine effects of maternity care coordination (MCC) on perinatal health care utilization among low‐income women.

Data Sources

North Carolina Center for Health Statistics Baby Love files that include birth certificates, maternity care coordination records, WIC records, and Medicaid claims.

Study Design

Causal effects of MCC participation on health care outcomes were estimated in a sample of 7,124 singleton Medicaid‐covered births using multiple linear regressions with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

Principal Findings

Maternity care coordination recipients were more likely to receive first‐trimester prenatal care (p < .01) and averaged three more prenatal visits and two additional primary care visits during pregnancy; they were also more likely to participate in WIC and to receive postpartum family planning services (p < .01). Medicaid expenditures were greater among mothers receiving MCC.

Conclusions

Maternity care coordination facilitates access to health care and supportive services among Medicaid‐covered women. Increased maternal service utilization may increase expenditures in the short run; however, improved newborn health may reduce the need for costly neonatal care, and by implication the need for early intervention and other supports for at‐risk children.
Pre‐hydrated sterile acellular dermal matrix allograft in breast reconstruction: review of a single unit's experience
Authors: James Justin , Corrigan Brigid , Saunders Christobel
Published: July 2017

Background

The acellular dermal matrix (Flex HD) (FHD) became available for use in Western Australia in 2014 to aid prosthetic breast reconstruction and this descriptive study aims to review and discuss a single institution's experience since its introduction.

Methods

By retrospective case note, review data were collected for all patients who underwent prosthetic breast reconstruction with the aid of FHD between January 2014 and August 2015 in our institution. Data on basic demographic parameters, risk factors, surgery‐related factors, post‐operative factors and follow‐up information were collected. All complications were recorded and described in detail.

Results

FHD was used in 42 breast reconstructions in 26 patients. Procedure‐related complications were seen in 26% (n = 11) of cases. A major complication requiring return to theatre was seen in 11% (n = 5) of cases. Cellulitis of the reconstructed breast (red breast syndrome) was seen in 16.67% (n = 7) cases. Overall implant loss was 2.4% (n = 1). Of the six possible risk factors for any complication, only current smoking was found to increase the risk of complications (odds ratio = 9.667, 95% confidence interval = 1.429–65.377).

Conclusion

FHD is associated with a relatively high overall complication rate. Use of this optional expensive material has to be carefully selected balancing its perceived advantages against this possible risk. The red breast syndrome merits further studies considering its frequent occurrence with FHD use.
Introduction: Italians Do It Better? The Occupation of Spaces for Radical Struggles in Italy
Authors: Mudu Pierpaolo
Published: July 2017

Italy could be considered a social laboratory in relation to radical theories, practices, struggles and radical political conditions. It is worth exploring what kind of laboratory Italy is and investigating some of the features of current struggles that challenge neoliberalism and the revival of fascism. One way to grasp the specificity of the Italian context is by considering an inherent set of social conflicts that take the form of multidimensional challenges, embracing social, cultural, economic and decision‐making dimensions. Put succinctly, a prefigurative politics is the lens suggested to interpret the experience of squatting and commoning, which are the fundamental attributes of many related struggles over housing and Social Centers and environmental protection.
Primary inguinal hernia: The open repair today pros and cons
Authors: Campanelli Giampiero , Bruni Piero Giovanni , Morlacchi Andrea , Lombardo Francesca , Cavalli Marta
Published: July 2017

Open anterior repair for inguinal hernia offers several distinct advantages over endoscopic repair, especially when real‐world effectiveness is taken into account. The learning curve for endoscopic techniques is long, whereas the Lichtenstein and other open tension‐free techniques are easier to teach and replicate at all levels. The outcomes of Lichtenstein repairs for primary inguinal hernia as performed by non‐experts and supervised residents are comparable to those of experts. Moreover, open tension‐free repair does not require expensive instruments or dedicated equipment, other than the prosthetic mesh. As such, it is feasible in any operating room anywhere in the world with limited costs. In our opinion, the most important advantage offered by open tension‐free repair is that it can be performed under local anesthesia. Nevertheless, local anesthesia has some disadvantages: it requires training, excellent knowledge of the anatomy and the necessary technique, patience, and gentle handling of the tissues. Open inguinal hernia repair is a procedure that every surgeon should know and be able to perform because it is necessary to treat two conditions, groin hernia recurrence after a posterior approach (both laparoscopic and open) and pubic inguinal pain syndrome.
Anatomy and roles of lymphatics in inflammatory diseases
Authors: Al‐Kofahi Mahmoud , Yun J. Winny , Minagar Alireza , Alexander J. Steven
Published: July 2017

The lymphatic system maintains tissue homeostasis by transporting interstitial fluid, lipids and debris from tissues to the main circulation, and delivers antigen and antigen presenting cells to local lymph nodes where they elicit immune responses. During inflammation, lymph flow increases to limit edema and prevents tissue antigen‐presenting cell transport. Lymphatics also adjust their contractile activity to increase fluid transfer during acute inflammation. Conversely, chronic inflammation can provoke lymphostasis, which might limit pathogen spread within the circulation; however, decreased lymph flow leads to the persistence of immune cells and mediators in tissues to intensifying injury. Here, we review lymphatic structure function within the gut, heart and central nervous system, discussing potential roles of these lymphatics in the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease, myocarditis and neurovascular disease, and as novel targets for therapeutic management of several disease states.
Acceptability of a very‐low‐energy diet in Type 2 diabetes: patient experiences and behaviour regulation
Authors: Rehackova L. , Araújo‐Soares V. , Adamson A. J. , Steven S. , Taylor R. , Sniehotta F. F.
Published: July 2017

Aims

To evaluate the acceptability of an 8‐week very‐low‐energy diet for remission of Type 2 diabetes, and to identify barriers and facilitators of adherence and behaviour‐regulation strategies used by participants in the Counterbalance study.

Methods

Eighteen of 30 participants in the Counterbalance study (ISRCTN88634530) took part in semi‐structured interviews. Of these, 15 participants were interviewed before and after the 8‐week very‐low‐energy diet intervention. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the narratives.

Results

The prospect of diabetes remission, considerable weight loss, and long‐term health improvement provided participants with substantial initial motivation. This motivation was sustained through the experience of rapid weight loss, improvements in blood glucose levels, social support and increased physical and psychological well‐being. Overall, adherence to the very‐low‐energy diet for 8 weeks was perceived as much easier than anticipated, but required personal effort. Participants addressed challenges by removing food from the environment, planning, avoidance of tempting situations or places, and self‐distraction. Weight loss and improvements in blood glucose levels lead to a sense of achievement and improvements in physical and psychological wellbeing.

Conclusions

Dietary treatment for reversal of Type 2 diabetes is acceptable and feasible in motivated participants, and the process is perceived as highly gratifying. Research outside of controlled trial settings is needed to gauge the generalisability of these findings.
The effectiveness of an initial continuing education course in leadership for dentists
Authors: Roig Jornet P. , Kalenderian E.
Published: July 2017

Purpose/Objectives

The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of a continuing education course in leadership presented to postdoctoral dentist‐leaders.

Methods

The authors developed a 3‐day course on leadership and management with topics including self‐awareness, leadership qualities, emotional intelligence, communication skills, social skills, conflict management, personal branding, quality improvement and team motivation. Twenty‐two course participants with a median age of 37.5 years and an average of 13.7 years of professional experience were assessed using three different metrics: satisfaction with the course and presenters immediately following the course; pre‐course and post‐course tests on knowledge of leadership topics; and self‐assessments of leadership competency skills prior to the course, immediately following the course and then 6 months after the course.

Results

Participant satisfaction with both instructors’ effectiveness and the overall course design was very high. A survey 6 months following the course showed that participants were very positive regarding the practical use of the leadership skills they acquired in the course. The average of all participants’ scores on the objectively assessed leadership knowledge test showed a statistically significant (P<.001) difference between pre‐course and post‐course scores. At 6‐month follow‐up, participant self‐assessment of leadership competency significantly improved following the course.

Conclusion

A well‐designed course in leadership skills can have a positive impact on the leadership knowledge and competency of dentist‐leaders. This unique leadership course was effective in increasing leadership knowledge and self‐perceived leadership competency. The course and the skilled instructors were rated very highly by participants.
University research and the creation of spin‐offs: The Spanish case
Authors: Román‐Martínez Isabel , Gómez‐Miranda María‐Elena , Sánchez‐Fernández Juan
Published: July 2017

The backbone of the European innovation strategy is knowledge transfer from universities to companies, the programmes supporting the creation of university spin‐offs being one of its pillars. In order to achieve a better understanding of this kind of entrepreneurial activity in Spain, this article analyses the relationship between research activity and the creation of spin‐offs and identifies the factors which can be linked to the level of technology used by these companies. Consulting the websites of Spanish universities and their respective Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) led to the identification of 499 spin‐offs. We analysed two groups of universities, correlating their number and technological nature with the research potential of the parent university, the general economic situation and the assistance received in creating this type of company. We found a positive relation between the creation of university spin‐offs and the average number of projects achieved by the university. In addition, their technological nature is positively related to the number of patents awarded to the university. This article focuses on Spain. However, the aspects addressed are common to other countries and its results may therefore be of interest to universities and policy makers wishing to promote the commercialisation of research outcomes.
Modified sequential k‐means clustering by utilizing response: A case study for fashion products
Authors: Fallah Tehrani Ali , Ahrens Diane
Published: July 2017

Modified sequential k‐means clustering concerns a k‐means clustering problem in which the clustering machine utilizes output similarity in addition. While conventional clustering methods commonly recognize similar instances at features‐level modified sequential clustering takes advantage of response, too. To this end, the approach we pursue is to enhance the quality of clustering by using some proper information. The information enables the clustering machine to detect more patterns and dependencies that may be relevant. This allows one to determine, for instance, which fashion products exhibit similar behaviour in terms of sales. Unfortunately, conventional clustering methods cannot tackle such cases, because they handle attributes solely at the feature level without considering any response. In this study, we introduce a novel approach underlying minimum conditional entropy clustering and show its advantages in terms of data analytics. In particular, we achieve this by modifying the conventional sequential k‐means algorithm. This modified clustering approach has the ability to reflect the response effect in a consistent manner. To verify the feasibility and the performance of this approach, we conducted several experiments based on real data from the apparel industry.
Spatiotemporal pattern of gross primary productivity and its covariation with climate in China over the last thirty years
Authors: Yao Yitong , Wang Xuhui , Li Yue , Wang Tao , Shen Miaogen , Du Mingyuan , He Honglin , Li Yingnian , Luo Weijun , Ma Mingguo , Ma Yaoming , Tang Yanhong , Wang Huimin , Zhang Xianzhou , Zhang Yiping , Zhao Liang , Zhou Guangsheng , Piao Shilong
Published: July 2017

The uncertainties of China's gross primary productivity (GPP) estimates by global data‐oriented products and ecosystem models justify a development of high‐resolution data‐oriented GPP dataset over China. We applied a machine learning algorithm developing a new GPP dataset for China with 0.1° spatial resolution and monthly temporal frequency based on eddy flux measurements from 40 sites in China and surrounding countries, most of which have not been explored in previous global GPP datasets. According to our estimates, mean annual GPP over China is 6.62 ± 0.23 PgC/year during 1982–2015 with a clear gradient from southeast to northwest. The trend of GPP estimated by this study (0.020 ± 0.002 PgC/year2 from 1982 to 2015) is almost two times of that estimated by the previous global dataset. The GPP increment is widely spread with 60% area showing significant increasing trend (p < .05), except for Inner Mongolia. Most ecosystem models overestimated the GPP magnitudes but underestimated the temporal trend of GPP. The monsoon affected eastern China, in particular the area surrounding Qinling Mountain, seems having larger contribution to interannual variability (IAV) of China's GPP than the semiarid northwestern China and Tibetan Plateau. At country scale, temperature is the dominant climatic driver for IAV of GPP. The area where IAV of GPP dominated by temperature is about 42%, while precipitation and solar radiation dominate 31% and 27% respectively over semiarid area and cold‐wet area. Such spatial pattern was generally consistent with global GPP dataset, except over the Tibetan Plateau and northeastern forests, but not captured by most ecosystem models, highlighting future research needs to improve the modeling of ecosystem response to climate variations.
Functional genomic analysis of corals from natural CO2‐seeps reveals core molecular responses involved in acclimatization to ocean acidification
Authors: Kenkel Carly D. , Moya Aurelie , Strahl Julia , Humphrey Craig , Bay Line K.
Published: July 2017

Little is known about the potential for acclimatization or adaptation of corals to ocean acidification and even less about the molecular mechanisms underpinning these processes. Here, we examine global gene expression patterns in corals and their intracellular algal symbionts from two replicate population pairs in Papua New Guinea that have undergone long‐term acclimatization to natural variation in pCO2. In the coral host, only 61 genes were differentially expressed in response to pCO2 environment, but the pattern of change was highly consistent between replicate populations, likely reflecting the core expression homeostasis response to ocean acidification. Functional annotations highlight lipid metabolism and a change in the stress response capacity of corals as key parts of this process. Specifically, constitutive downregulation of molecular chaperones was observed, which may impact response to combined climate change‐related stressors. Elevated CO2 has been hypothesized to benefit photosynthetic organisms but expression changes of in hospite Symbiodinium in response to acidification were greater and less consistent among reef populations. This population‐specific response suggests hosts may need to adapt not only to an acidified environment, but also to changes in their Symbiodinium populations that may not be consistent among environments, adding another challenging dimension to the physiological process of coping with climate change.
Vulnerable older consumers: New persuasion knowledge achievement measure
Authors: Balázs Katalin , Bene Ágnes , Hidegkuti István
Published: July 2017

This research describes a new persuasion knowledge measure for older consumers which can be applied for both diagnostic and preventive purposes. Persuasion knowledge refers to information, attitudes, beliefs and schemas guiding our behaviour in situations where persuasion is involved. Many older consumers belong to a specific, vulnerable group, who often fail to maintain their interest in persuasive situations, so the proposed measure could serve a better understanding of their behaviour. First, a new, situation‐based achievement measure, entitled ‘Persuasion Knowledge Achievement Measure’ (PKAM), was developed in university samples (N = 530) in several stages. Afterwards, the developed measure was adapted to older individuals, resulting in the Persuasion Knowledge Achievement Measure for Older People (PKAM‐OP). Following a pilot study with personally‐assisted data collection (N = 50), the examinees were reached through an elderly care network in a two‐stage procedure (N = 183, N = 116). The psychometric analyses of the data show a high level of reliability and validity for both tests. The results of the main research studies indicate that there are two subscales of the measure: ‘Agreeableness’ and ‘Persuasion Knowledge’. Based on the empirical data, the subscales provide reliable measures of features which guide behaviour in persuasive situations. In sum, PKAM‐OP can fulfil theoretical and practical needs in research and prevention interventions focusing on older consumers.
Edible mushrooms: a potential source of essential amino acids, glucans and minerals
Authors: Bach Fabiane , Helm Cristiane Vieira , Bellettini Marcelo Barba , Maciel Giselle Maria , Haminiuk Charles Windson Isidoro
Published: July 2017

The main chemical and biochemical constituents of nine edible mushrooms were evaluated in this study. An enzymatic method was used to determine the α‐ and β‐glucan contents, and the amino acid (AA) profiles were evaluated by RP‐HPLC‐DAD. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of the nutrients was evaluated. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group the mushrooms according to their AA, glucans and chemical composition. All mushrooms evaluated can be considered as a potential and alternative source of dietary fibre (24.4–46.62%) and protein (16.47–36.96%) in a diet, with low contents of fat (1.40–2.08%). Phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper and zinc were the main minerals found in the mushrooms, whereas sodium concentration was negligible. All essential AA were detected in the mushrooms, with Pleurotus ostreatus (black oyster) representing the main source of essential amino acids among the samples. The contents of β‐glucan ranged from 1.58 to 16.91 mg g−1 of dry matter among the mushrooms and Pleurotus eryngii presented the highest amount of this component. Pleurotus ostreatus (black oyster) and P. eryngii were also grouped together due to similarities in their phosphorous and arginine contents. Among the main results, it can highlight the high concentration of dietary fibre and essential amino acids of the edible mushrooms.