bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of performance based maintenance of road infrastructure by contracting
Authors: Sultana Masuda , Rahman Anisur , Chowdhury Sanaul
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Many road authorities considered contracting out road maintenance to the private sector based on performance measures as an alternative and better solution than traditional methods of contracting. It highlights issues of interest to road authorities in the context of saving maintenance costs and managing contracting times effectively. This method is named as performance based maintenance by contracting (PBMC) and has substantial success records in minimizing infrastructure maintenance costs in many developed and developing countries over the last two decades. It has received the attention of researchers and practitioners. However, the literature on PBMC is reasonably high although the concept of PBMC is relatively new. The purpose of this paper is to carry out a comprehensive state of the art review of the literature that has been conducted in the recent years.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 62 published report and journal articles related to performance based maintenance by contracting for road network system has been analysed and reviewed in this paper.

Findings

This paper analyses the literature on PBMC and presents examples of developed and developing countries that have been successfully maintaining their road network systems using PBMC as their preferred method of contracting.

Practical implications

The potential of reducing maintenance costs, increasing the quality of works and reducing the chance of corruption in the long run in developing countries are the challenging issues for PBMC, which needs more attention. This paper can be used as a base or platform for future research in the area of PBMC such as developing optimal policies and cost models.

Originality/value

This paper would be useful for the research on PBMC. It would be beneficial for the engineers or professionals in improving the performance of road maintenance and management.
Indigenous development amongst challenges
Authors: Singh Amin Shivdasini , Atre Rakesh , Vardia Ankur , Gupta Vaibhav D.K. , Sebastian Boby
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The global manufacturing industry is becoming more competitive. Munjal Showa, a shock absorber manufacturer in India, is using indigenous development of technology by incorporating concepts of lean manufacturing, total productive maintenance (TPM) and low cost automation techniques to increase their competitiveness. This new approach helps the company to reduce cost of manufacturing and to increase the productivity by reducing cycle time and down time. The aim of this paper is to offer an in depth study of the four phases of indigenous development of machines at Munjal Showa Ltd.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers an in depth study of the four phases of indigenous development of machines at Munjal Showa Ltd with the benefits and results.

Findings

Proper understanding of process requirements and tool designing in accordance with process requirement are the two major factors which help to down size the machine and to identify unnecessary parts. By applying these techniques on BC‐21 machine, Munjal Showa is able to reduce the space used by 68 percent, break downs by 93 percent, cycle time by 48 percent and an increase in productivity by 52 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is looking at only one company as an example which is a limitation and cannot be generalized for all industries.

Practical implications

Indigenous development enables company to reduce costs and service machines quickly as they themselves have developed the machines.

Social implications

Physical fatigue of incumbents at the shop floor is considerably reduced by using concepts like cockpit layout and combining of processes on a single machine. Improves job satisfaction and productivity of shop floor employees.

Originality/value

In India, this is one of its kind initiatives taken up by the business excellence team at Munjal Showa Ltd.
Health care in small prisons: incorporating high‐quality standards
Authors: Rieder Jean‐Pierre , Casillas Alejandra , Mary Gérard , Secretan Anne‐Dominique , Gaspoz Jean‐Michel , Wolff Hans
Published: March 2013

Purpose

In the past, health management in Geneva's six post‐trial prisons had been variable and inconsistent. In 2008, the unit of penitentiary medicine of the Geneva University Hospitals was mandated to re‐organize and provide health care at all six prison facilities. The specific aim of this paper is to outline the example as a practical solution to some of the common challenges in unifying the structure and process of health services across multiple small facilities, while meeting European prison health and local quality standards.

Design/methodology/approach

Geneva's post‐trial prisons are small and close to one another in geographical proximity – ideal conditions for the construction of a health mobile team (HMT). This multidisciplinary mobile team operated like a community ambulatory care model; it was progressively launched in all prison facilities in Geneva. The authors incorporated an implementation strategy where health providers partnered with prison and community stakeholders in the health delivery model's development and adaption process.

Findings

The model's strategic initiatives are described along the following areas, in light of other international prison health activity and prior care models: access to a health care professional, equivalence of care, patient consent, confidentiality, humanitarian interventions, and professional competence and independence.

Originality/value

From the perspective of the HMT members, the authors provide the “lessons learned” through this experience, especially to providers who are working on prison health services reform and coordination improvement. The paper particularly stresses the importance of partnering with community health stakeholders and prison staff, a key component to the approach.
Developing blood borne virus services across prisons in Wales, UK
Authors: Perrett Stephanie E. , Craine Noel , Lyons Marion
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the strategies being put in place to develop blood borne virus (BBV) services across prisons in Wales, UK, in response to the recommendations for prisons within the Welsh Government's Blood Borne Viral Hepatitis Action Plan for Wales.

Design/methodology/approach

A task and finish group was established to ensure multidisciplinary engagement between healthcare and custody staff. A service improvement package was developed focusing on awareness raising and/or development of clinical services for prisoners, prison officers and prison healthcare staff.

Findings

Prison healthcare staff have undergone training in BBVs and are being supported to deliver clinical services to prisoners. Training has been delivered in pre/post test discussion and dried blood spot testing; care pathways have been established between prison and community specialists for treatment referrals. An e‐learning module is being rolled out to raise awareness amongst custody staff and encourage occupational hepatitis B vaccination. Literature on “liver health” has been produced to be given to every prisoner across Wales.

Social implications

It is envisaged that BBV services will become a routine part of prison care in Wales. Data on activity are being collected for evaluation and it is hoped that tackling BBVs in prisons will help reduce rates of infection both within prisons and in the wider community.

Originality/value

This paper describes new initiatives that have been established to tackle BBVs across Welsh prisons and will be relevant to any prison healthcare staff looking to develop similar services.
A decision framework for assessment of risk associated with global supply chain
Authors: Soni Gunjan , Kodali Rambabu
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Risk management has always been an area of concern for every global firm. The firm's supply chain management (SCM) practices are also affected by the degree of risk involved in almost all decisions. The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of assessment of risk associated with global supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggested methodology consists of two phases. The aim of the first phase is to select the location of a global facility with least risk and in the second phase, least risky configuration of supply chain is selected. The methodology adopted in the paper is demonstrated using the hypothetical case of an industrial valve manufacturing global firm.

Findings

The paper presents a tool for strategic and planning level. It supports a supply chain manager at strategic level to find the least risky location for manufacturing facility; while at the same time, the methodology supports a supply chain planning manager when selecting the least risky configuration of suppliers and distributors.

Originality/value

There are many models in the literature that addressed the issue of risk minimization in supply chain, but after an exhaustive literature review, it was noticed that there is no model that minimizes risk in locating a global facility and resulting supply chain simultaneously. The paper thus accomplishes this task by using PROMETHEE‐II and goal programming tools to suggest a decision framework for assessment of risk associated with global supply chain.
Mental health law in Africa: analysis from a human rights perspective
Authors: Drew Natalie , Funk Michelle , Kim Caroline , Lund Crick , Flisher Alan J. , Osei Akwasi , Ndyanabangi Sheila , Ssebunnya Joshua , Mayaye John
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide detailed assessments of the mental health laws of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.

Design/methodology/approach

The mental health laws of four countries were assessed both by country partners and staff of WHO, Geneva, using the World Health Organization (WHO) Checklist on Mental Health Legislation, which examines the level of coverage of key issues in mental health laws.

Findings

The older laws of Ghana, Uganda and Zambia do not address fundamental human rights of people with mental health conditions. South Africa's more recent Mental Health Care Act (2002) incorporates critical human rights standards, though certain provisions fail to adequately safeguard against potential violations. For mental health legislation to maintain currency with human rights standards it must be regularly reviewed and updated.

Originality/value

The findings highlight the urgent need to revise the mental health laws of Zambia, Uganda and Ghana, and to plan ways to address the gaps identified in the relatively new South African mental health law. The entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008 signals a new era in how mental health legislation is to be drafted. The identification of gaps in national laws, as has been undertaken by the four countries, is an important first step towards putting in place legal frameworks to promote the rights of people with mental health conditions in line with current international human rights standards.
Corporate social responsibility reporting research in the Chinese academia: a critical review
Authors: Guan Jenny , Noronha Carlos
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to review the recent corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature in China, which has the world's largest developing economy. Through discussions and critical review, the objective is to suggest future directions for CSR research in this country.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a review of recent CSR literature in the mainland, followed by an in‐depth critique of two major Chinese CSR studies conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Findings

In China, much of the CSR literature is conceptual, descriptive, or argumentative in nature. Proper research methodologies are not systematically applied in some studies, and supporting theories are lacking. Besides, self‐developed indicator systems, rather than internationally adopted systems, are used as the mainstream measurement tools in research focusing on CSR performance evaluation. In general, CSR research in China has just got started and has a long way to go.

Originality/value

Recent reviews of CSR literature have concentrated on emerging economies, particularly Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and so on. This paper is one of the first reviews of CSR studies in mainland China. It contributes to understanding the development of Chinese CSR research. After the review and discourse, several research questions are suggested for future research.
Corporate social responsibility and executive compensation: exploring the link
Authors: Collett Miles Patti , Miles Grant
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether socially responsible firms recognize the potential conflicts that come with higher levels of executive compensation, and thus limit executive pay relative to what is being paid in other firms. In the process, the relationships between executive compensation and financial performance, and corporate social performance and financial performance are examined to determine whether potential compensation and social performance links are coming at the expense of company financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data for this research were obtained from a stratified sample of Fortune 1000 companies pulled from across more than 15 industries. Multiple regression analysis is utilized to test three hypotheses.

Findings

In line with the hypotheses, results indicate that companies identified as good corporate social performers do in fact have lower levels of executive compensation and there is some support found for a positive relationship between social and financial performance.

Practical implications

The results provide support for the view that firms concerned about social responsibility can put restrictions on executive compensation and still achieve good financial performance, and make a case that executive compensation should in fact be a concern of all socially responsible firms.

Originality/value

There are few studies that examine the direct link between executive compensation and corporate social responsibility. This study addresses this gap in the literature and adds to the discussion as to whether socially responsible firms might seek to better balance compensation across the firm and emphasize that profit, both individual and corporate, must be earned within a system that is fair and balanced for all.
Performance evaluation of socially responsible mutual funds using style analysis
Authors: Das Praveen K. , Uma Rao S.P.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of socially responsible funds by closely examining funds' investment styles.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply William Sharpe's method of style analysis to evaluate the performance of 94 US socially responsible mutual funds. By using the fund style as a benchmark, the authors are able to separate the performance attributed to style and selection.

Findings

The authors observe that underperformance of socially responsible funds is more pronounced and common than identified in the previous literature. Proponents of socially responsible investing argue that screening process provides an opportunity to fund managers to identify best companies in terms of future financial performance. The paper finds that active management of mutual funds is an important determinant of their performance in socially responsible investing industry. This paper provides evidence supporting that active management of socially responsible funds add value.

Originality/value

This study will help investors in allocating their portfolios among many of the available SR funds. The result – actively managed SR funds outperform their passive counterparts – will be valuable for those investors who are willing to invest in socially responsible funds but are concerned about the financial performance.
Does country‐of‐origin matter to Generation Y?
Authors: Zdravkovic Srdan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine how members of American Generation Y cohort feel about the USA and the USA's major trading partners. In addition, the study's purpose is to find out whether product's country‐of‐origin (COO) plays a role when members of Generation Y evaluate products.

Design/methodology/approach

Undergraduate university students are used as sample in this study. Experiment with 18 conditions is utilized to collect that data. Linear regression is used to test the hypothesis.

Findings

Results show that animosity toward the country negatively influences COO image and that person's level of cosmopolitanism and ethnocentrism contribute to person's perception of (in)equality when evaluating COO images. Findings also indicate COO significantly influences product judgment and this relationship is moderated by quality of information about the product (positive, negative, or lack of information) and involvement with the product (involved or not involved).

Originality/value

Results from this study show that, in the context of Generation Y, country image still matters and should be considered when developing a product or promotion strategy. Although country image matters, its effect on product judgment has to be examined in conjunction with factors like quality of information about the product and involvement with the product. As such, examining COO effect on its own might be misleading and not paint a completely accurate picture of antecedents to product judgment.
Evaluating alternative theoretical models for examining citizen centric adoption of e‐government
Authors: Rana Nripendra P. , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Williams Michael D.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the performance of the alternative IS/IT adoption models used more frequently in the citizen centric adoption of e‐government systems. Such analysis will not only provide a trend about the models and subsequent constructs being utilized in this area of research but also guides us toward laying a foundation for the formulation of an alternative integrated model for citizen centric adoption of e‐government services.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant secondary data from 87 research studies on citizen centric e‐government services were analysed to examine the performance of some of the most frequently used alternative models (e.g. technology acceptance model (TAM), diffusion of innovation|innovation diffusion theory (DOI|IDT), DeLone and McLean IS success model, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), and theory of planned behaviour (TPB)) of IS/IT adoption in this area of research.

Findings

The findings of this research indicate that TAM is by far the best suited model for analysing citizen centric adoption of e‐government services. It was also found that although diffusion of innovation|innovation diffusion theory (DOI|IDT) is the second highly used model, only three of its constructs (i.e. compatibility, complexity, and relative advantage) were in use across various studies. Moreover, it was visualised that constructs such as triability and observability were never used in the e‐government context. Similarly, the constructs from TPB have not been used up to the presence of the model across various studies. All the constructs (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence) of the UTAUT model, except facilitating conditions, have been used quite regularly.

Research limitations/implications

This research evaluates the various IS/IT adoption research models being used in e‐government adoption only on the basis of their performances across the existing research studies. The evaluation of the performance of such models may not reflect their true picture only through meta‐analysis.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comprehensive meta‐analysis of some of the most frequently used IS/IT adoption models in the context of e‐government adoption research. Such analysis would help us picking up the most appropriate models and/or their constructs for developing an alternative model for our research.
Institutional entrepreneurs
Authors: Wahid Fathul , Sein Maung K.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

While institutional theory is used widely in the information system (IS) literature to study implementation of systems, the actual process of institutionalization has received less attention. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap in the literature by using three concepts drawn from the theory, namely, institutional isomorphism, institutional logic and institutional entrepreneurship, and the interplay between them to explore the role of the dominant institutional entrepreneur in the institutionalization of a public system, as an instance of e‐government initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

In an interpretive case study, this study examined the institutionalization process of an e‐procurement system over a four‐year period (2007‐2011) in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta.

Findings

This study reveals that different institutional isomorphism mechanisms emerge during the process and institutional logics evolve over time. More interestingly, it uncovers the dominant role of an institutional entrepreneur, the city's mayor, who mobilized resources and support to drive the institutionalization process. At the beginning stage, institutionalization is best described as a process of instilling values, cultivated by the mayor, followed by a process of creating reality through a typification process, whereby the e‐procurement system is embedded in the existing practices and institutionalized.

Research limitations/implications

As an interpretive study, the findings are generalized to theoretical concepts rather than the population. The interrelationship between the three concepts of institutional theory represents plausible rather than deterministic links. It also offers practical insights, such as e‐procurement implementation strategy.

Originality/value

This paper goes beyond simply using institutional theory as an interpretive lens by examining the interrelationship between the mechanisms of institutionalization. It shows that the main catalyst of the institutionalization process is the institutional entrepreneur who managed the institutional isomorphism and was instrumental in changing the institutional logic. It also presents lessons from a successful case where corrupt practices were highly institutionalized at the beginning but were decreased through the system.
Exploring the behavioral aspects of adopting technology
Authors: Lee Woojin , Tyrrell Timothy , Erdem Mehmet
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is three fold: to provide a preliminary exploration of meeting planners' use and perceived usefulness of the different types of social media; to examine why meeting planners use social media and; to investigate the perception of adopting the social media, especially as perceived critical mass impacts the adoption of social networking media.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the members of a professional association for meeting professionals in the Southwest US using an online self‐administered questionnaire. A total of 510 members received an invitation to take the survey and 120 responses were received, representing a 23.5 percent response rate. Descriptive analysis, discriminant validity, reliability and path analysis were used to estimate the relationships between the five constructs: perceived critical mass, usefulness, ease of use, attitudes and intention to use social network media in the future.

Findings

The most commonly preferred social network sites were Facebook (29 percent), LinkedIn (15 percent), YouTube (13 percent), Twitters (11 percent) and My Space (11 percent) and the social networking media rated most useful were Facebook (mean=3.7), LinkedIn (mean=3.1), YouTube (mean=3.0), Blogs (mean=2.7), Webinars (mean=2.6) and Twitter (mean=2.5), The top three reasons for using social media were: to communicate with other planners easily and quickly through chat or discussion boards (80.4 percent), to share queries, problems, solutions and opinions with other meeting planners (70.1 percent) and to get feedback from attendees after meeting/event/convention (69.9 percent). Additionally, the path model used in the analysis indicated that perceived critical mass not only directly influences intention to use social network media but also indirectly affects attitude toward using social media and intention to use social media simultaneously through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.

Originality/value

Even though the social networking media has previously been used by many meeting planners to find information, few research studies have explored the meeting planners' perception of social networking media and what factors may have an effect on meeting planners' adoption of using social network media. This study provides a preliminary empirical analysis of meeting planners' perception of these tools and the factors that influence their utilization.
Factors influencing customer acceptance of kiosks at quick service restaurants
Authors: Kim Jungsun (Sunny) , Christodoulidou Natasa , Choo Yunjeong (Clara)
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This study aims to explore: the impact of customers' previous experience on their likelihood of using kiosks at quick service restaurants (QSRs); a mediating role of customer readiness (i.e. role clarity, ability, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation) between customers' previous experience and their likelihood of using kiosks; and a moderating effect of gender in the relationships among customers' previous experience, readiness, and likelihood of using kiosks.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 614 complete responses were obtained through an online survey. Structural equation modeling was developed and tested.

Findings

The results demonstrated that extrinsic motivation in using SSTs directly influenced the likelihood of using kiosks, and previous experience with SSTs indirectly influenced the likelihood of using kiosks through customer readiness in both male and female groups. This study also revealed that both male and female respondents who perceived their roles in using SST more clearly were more likely to use kiosks at QSRs. However, their perceived ability and levels of intrinsic motivations did not significantly influence the likelihood of using kiosks in both groups. Overall, gender did not play a significant moderating role in the relationships among experience, readiness, and likelihood of using kiosks at QSR.

Originality/value

Since very few studies have investigated the kiosks adoption at QSR settings, the findings and suggestions from this study will provide practical insight for QSR operators. Future research could attempt to draw a comprehensive kiosk acceptance model by incorporating the current study's framework with other demographic variables or other antecedent variables.
Participant observation at events: theory, practice and potential
Authors: Mackellar Joanne
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the techniques involved in participant observation and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the method as related to event research.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature examines applications of the research method and discusses the steps of the research cycle. Using the example of the Swell Sculpture Festival, participant observation is demonstrated to be a highly appropriate method to gather data on interactions and relationships through the recording of behaviour, conversation and experience in situ.

Findings

Participant observation has been used to inform the development of management strategies, including management of crowd behavior, public risk and safety.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests that methods of participant observation can be used to gain a deeper understanding of social dynamics of audiences and the affective dimensions of their behaviour. It is suggested that the method is highly appropriate to the context of event environments, where the use of surveys can interrupt the flow of the event experience for audiences, or be made impossible by the structure of the event.

Practical implications

The case study demonstrates the application of the methodology by event managers to gaining a better understanding of audience behaviour and expectations.

Originality/value

The methods of participant observation, as part of the broader qualitative research paradigm, are somewhat neglected by event researchers, despite their utility in other disciplines such as retail, education and tourism. This paper highlights the potential of the method for use in future studies of events and their audiences.
Management accounting change in an Egyptian organization: an institutional analysis
Authors: Youssef Mayada A.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of management accounting change within an Egyptian organization that implemented an extranet.

Design/methodology/approach

Old institutional economic (OIE) theory and Hardy's model of power mobilisation are chosen as a theoretical framework to inform the analysis of the case.

Findings

The results show that the extranet facilitated changes in information availability and business process re‐design. The findings confirm that management accounting practices have changed in the case under study and show how management accountants have become more involved in planning and control. The case highlighted some factors that facilitate the natural processes of routinisation and institutionalisation over time.

Research limitations/implications

It could be argued that one limitation of this research is related to the gap between the change in leadership in TexCo (1993) and the timing of the visits (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005). However, this problem has been minimized by crosschecking memories of events through interviews. Another limitation of this study is that the author was not allowed to review some of the financial documents in TexCo. However, the author tried to verify the financial figures given by them through inter‐subject checking.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the literature as it focuses on the process of management accounting change associated with the implementation of business‐to‐business (B‐to‐B) e‐commerce. The findings, indicate that the B‐to‐B e‐commerce has facilitated the change in the management accounting practices towards decision support and control. Implementing the B‐to‐B e‐commerce system in TexCo facilitated greater control over inventory and invoicing. It improved the planning process through providing the accountants with accurate and real time information about sales, receivables, cash collection and inventory turnover. The system also facilitated the settlement process, the performance evaluation of TexCo's exhibitions; and saved the time and effort of the accountants during the stocktaking process. The case suggested that there are some factors that may facilitate the processes of routinisation and institutionalisation.
A profile of violent female offenders in secure psychiatric care
Authors: Evans Rebecca , Hollin Clive , Long Clive
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This study aims to explore whether female psychiatric homicide offenders form a distinct group when compared to women who have committed other types of serious violent offences.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of background and psychological characteristics for 13 homicide and 13 non‐homicide offenders, matched by date of birth, were compared. In addition, change in psychological and behavioural presentation after 12 months stay at a registered charity trust hospital in England was considered.

Findings

The findings indicate that the two groups were broadly similar, although the non‐homicide violent offenders had somewhat more troubled backgrounds. The two groups responded similarly to treatment, although the homicide offenders displayed significantly fewer aggressive risk behaviours whilst in care.

Practical implications

It is concluded that the two groups present with similar needs, with indications of greater treatment need for polynomial substance misuse for the non‐homicide group.

Originality/value

This is the first study to compare directly these two specific groups of violent female offenders, considering both static background variables, and behaviour whilst in security.
Forensic psychological public safety risk assessment integrated with culturally responsive treatment for juvenile fire setters: DSM‐5 implications
Authors: Johnson Ronn , Beckenbach Heidi , Kilbourne Samantha
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to present an overview of a variety of risk assessment issues that are of particular relevance for work with juvenile fire setters in clinical and forensic settings. The paper seeks to consider Juvenile Fire Setting (JFS)‐Youthful Misuse of Fire (YMF) across a broad array of clinical domains, including developmental, prognostic, and the diagnostic utility anticipated by using the DSM‐5. National standards and risk assessment levels are to be examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a comprehensive review of the research and practices related to juvenile fire setters. This review included assessment and intervention resources that are used in diverse practice environments. The authors reviewed the literature to establish a nexus between risk assessment and community‐based interventions which were illustrated by a nationally recognized YMF mental health program (FATJAM).

Findings

The paper provides empirically‐based insights into key issues for working with these forensic cases. It offers discussion regarding diagnostic issues that are relevant to the DSM‐5.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the conceptual or theoretical approach used, the research basis for generalizations is restricted to the practice‐based analyses provided by the authors. Therefore, practitioners and researchers are urged to further test the observations and conclusions presented.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in that it increases the knowledge base related to the diagnostic applications with the DSM‐5, as well as evidence‐based interventions for JFS as it pertains to public safety.
Decomposing variation in male reproductive success: age‐specific variances and covariances through extra‐pair and within‐pair reproduction
Authors: Lebigre Christophe , Arcese Peter , Reid Jane M.
Published: March 2013

Age‐specific variances and covariances in reproductive success shape the total variance in lifetime reproductive success (LRS), age‐specific opportunities for selection, and population demographic variance and effective size. Age‐specific (co)variances in reproductive success achieved through different reproductive routes must therefore be quantified to predict population, phenotypic and evolutionary dynamics in age‐structured populations.

While numerous studies have quantified age‐specific variation in mean reproductive success, age‐specific variances and covariances in reproductive success, and the contributions of different reproductive routes to these (co)variances, have not been comprehensively quantified in natural populations.

We applied ‘additive’ and ‘independent’ methods of variance decomposition to complete data describing apparent (social) and realised (genetic) age‐specific reproductive success across 11 cohorts of socially monogamous but genetically polygynandrous song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). We thereby quantified age‐specific (co)variances in male within‐pair and extra‐pair reproductive success (WPRSandEPRS) and the contributions of these (co)variances to the total variances in age‐specific reproductive success andLRS.

‘Additive’ decomposition showed that within‐age and among‐age (co)variances inWPRSacross males aged 2–4 years contributed most to the total variance inLRS. Age‐specific (co)variances inEPRScontributed relatively little. However, extra‐pair reproduction altered age‐specific variances in reproductive success relative to the social mating system, and hence altered the relative contributions of age‐specific reproductive success to the total variance inLRS.

‘Independent’ decomposition showed that the (co)variances in age‐specificWPRS,EPRSand total reproductive success, and the resulting opportunities for selection, varied substantially across males that survived to each age. Furthermore, extra‐pair reproduction increased the variance in age‐specific reproductive success relative to the social mating system to a degree that increased across successive age classes.

This comprehensive decomposition of the total variances in age‐specific reproductive success andLRSinto age‐specific (co)variances attributable to two reproductive routes showed that within‐age and among‐age covariances contributed substantially to the total variance and that extra‐pair reproduction can alter the (co)variance structure of age‐specific reproductive success. Such covariances and impacts should consequently be integrated into theoretical assessments of demographic and evolutionary processes in age‐structured populations.
FOXO4 is necessary for neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Vilchez David , Boyer Leah , Lutz Margaret , Merkwirth Carsten , Morantte Ianessa , Tse Chris , Spencer Brian , Page Lesley , Masliah Eliezer , Berggren William Travis , Gage Fred H. , Dillin Andrew
Published: March 2013

Proteostasis is critical for maintaining cell function and proteome stability may play an important role in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) immortality. Notably, hESC populations exhibit a high assembly of active proteasomes, a key node of the proteostasis network. FOXO4, an insulin/IGF‐1 responsive transcription factor, regulates proteasome activity in hESCs. We find that loss of FOXO4 reduces the potential of hESCs to differentiate into neural lineages. Therefore, FOXO4 crosses evolutionary boundaries and links hESC function to invertebrate longevity modulation.
General medical burden in bipolar disorder: findings from the LiTMUS comparative effectiveness trial
Authors: Kemp D. E. , Sylvia L. G. , Calabrese J. R. , Nierenberg A. A. , Thase M. E. , Reilly‐Harrington N. A. , Ostacher M. J. , Leon A. C. , Ketter T. A. , Friedman E. S. , Bowden C. L. , Rabideau D. J. , Pencina M. , Iosifescu D. V. ,   The LiTMUS Study Group
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study examined general medical illnesses and their association with clinical features of bipolar disorder.

Method

Data were cross‐sectional and derived from the Lithium Treatment – Moderate Dose Use Study (LiTMUS), which randomized symptomatic adults (n = 264 with available medical comorbidity scores) with bipolar disorder to moderate doses of lithium plus optimized treatment (OPT) or to OPT alone. Clinically significant high and low medical comorbidity burden were defined as a Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) score ≥4 and <4 respectively.

Results

The baseline prevalence of significant medical comorbidity was 53% (n = 139). Patients with high medical burden were more likely to present in a major depressive episode (P = .04), meet criteria for obsessive–compulsive disorder (P = .02), and experience a greater number of lifetime mood episodes (P = 0.02). They were also more likely to be prescribed a greater number of psychotropic medications (P = .002). Sixty‐nine per cent of the sample was overweight or obese as defined by body mass index (BMI), with African Americans representing the racial group with the highest proportion of stage II obesity (BMI ≥35; 31%, n = 14).

Conclusion

The burden of comorbid medical illnesses was high in this generalizable sample of treatment‐seeking patients and appears associated with worsened course of illness and psychotropic medication patterns.
Morphometric analyses of the body and the branches of the normal third interosseous muscle (suspensory ligament) in Standardbreds
Authors: Shikh Alsook M. K. , Antoine N. , Piret J. , Moula N. , Busoni V. , Denoix J.‐M. , Gabriel A.
Published: March 2013

The third interosseous muscle (suspensory ligament,TIOM) is composed of connective tissue (CT) with a variable proportion of muscle (MT) and adipose tissue (AT). The aim of our study is to quantify theCT,MTandATwithin the body and the branches of right thoracic and pelvic limbsTIOMin sound horses to determine whether there are differences inCT,MTandATbetween age, sex, limbs and levels. Right limbs from 11 sound horses were collected. Samples from 6 levels of theTIOMwere embedded in paraffin or in Tissue‐Tek®. Most of the paraffin sections were shredded. Using the cryosection, some artefacts appeared. Cryoprotection was carried out, which produced the best results. Hematoxylin–phloxine–saffron and Hematoxylin–eosin gave a good contrast of colours between the tissues observed allowing the use of an image analysis programme to calculate percentage of each tissue within theTIOM. The percentage ofMTandATdecreased significantly (P < 0.0001), whereas the percentage ofCTincreased significantly (P < 0.0001) with age and when descending from the proximal to the distal level of theTIOM. The percentage ofMTwas significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in females than males, while the percentage ofCTwas significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in males than females. The percentage ofATwas significantly higher (P = 0.0278) in pelvic limbs than in thoracic limbs. These results confirm the variation in tissue composition within theTIOMof sound horses.
Low‐dose aspirin desensitization in individuals with aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Fruth K. , Pogorzelski B. , Schmidtmann I. , Springer J. , Fennan N. , Fraessdorf N. , Boessert A. , Schaefer D. , Gosepath J. , Mann W. J.
Published: March 2013

Background

Nasal polyposis frequently occurs within the clinical picture of aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).

A derailed arachidonic acid metabolism is regarded to be part of the pathophysiology of AERD, and aspirin desensitization is the only causal therapeutic option, so far. The optimal maintenance dose of aspirin desensitization to prevent nasal polyp recurrence on the one hand and to minimize aspirin‐related side‐effects, on the other hand, is still a matter of debate. The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a low‐dose aspirin desensitization protocol.

Methods

After sinus surgery, 70 individuals with AERD were randomly allocated to a prospective double‐blind placebo‐controlled aspirin desensitization protocol with a maintenance dose of 100 mg daily. The primary outcome was polyp relapse after 36 months. Nasal endoscopy status, quality of life, and patients' symptom score as well as aspirin‐related side‐effects were monitored.

Results

Due to the high dropout rate, only 31 individuals were evaluated. After 36 months, nasal polyp relapse was less frequent (P = 0.0785) and the polyposis score was lower (P = 0.0702) in the therapy group. Quality of life obviously improved (P = 0.0324), clinical complaints (P = 0.0083) were significantly reduced, and no severe aspirin‐related side‐effects were observed.

Conclusion

Aspirin desensitization with a maintenance dose of 100 mg daily has a positive impact on nasal polyp relapse and seems to be a safe and suitable therapy to improve clinical complaints and the quality of life of individuals with AERD.
Introducing ICT in schools in England: Rationale and consequences
Authors: Hammond Michael
Published: March 2013

This paper provides a critical perspective on the attempts to promote the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning in England. It describes the rationale given for the introduction of ICT in terms of its potential to impact on educational standards to contribute to developing a curriculum which has more vocational/social significance and, more generally, to provide a catalyst for curriculum reform. The introduction of ICT is underpinned by the argument that schools should show a higher degree of correspondence with a wider world where the use of technology is pervasive. However, the claims made for ICT display excessive optimism and a sense of “inevitability.” ICT has had only a modest impact on schools, though impact has to be considered in the context of what can realistically be expected: the contribution of ICT has not been negligible. Future development in the use of ICT should be more measured and adaptive, taking account of the multidimensional nature of technology.
Ontogenetic Changes in Carbohydrate Storage and Sprouting Ability in Pioneer Tree Species in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Kenzo Tanaka , Ichie Tomoaki , Yoneda Reiji , Tanaka‐Oda Ayumi , Azani Mohamad A. , Majid Nik M.
Published: March 2013

Sprouting ability is highly variable among different tree species. In many cases, there are trade‐offs in carbon allocations between growth and storage in seedlings. However, this trade‐off is likely to change with growth stages from seedling to mature plant because carbon investments in reproductive activities and/or risk of disturbance also change by species and growth stage. To examine how sprouting ability and carbohydrate storage change with growth stage, we compared two tropical secondary‐forest trees, Macaranga bancana and M. gigantea, which have different ecological traits. Maximum tree size and growth rate are higher in M. gigantea. We monitored sprout growth and stored resources, including total non‐structural carbohydrate (TNC) and nitrogen in the root, among different tree sizes for 12 months following stem‐cutting treatment. Sprouting ability (total sprout mass) and TNC concentrations were significantly higher in small individuals than in larger specimens in both species. TNC concentration decreased in all size classes after stem cutting. Macaranga bancana had greater sprout survivorship than M. gigantea, which had higher sprouting ability in larger tree‐size classes. Thus, sprouting ability likely depends on root TNC concentration and tree‐size class in both Macaranga species. Higher TNC concentration and sprout survival rates in M. bancana may be related to greater carbon allocation in survival than in growth. This hypothesis is consistent with the ecological traits of M. bancana, such as its growth rate, which was lower than that of M. gigantea.
Seasonal spatial distribution of juvenile lake sturgeon in Muskegon Lake, Michigan, USA
Authors: Altenritter Matthew E. L. , Wieten Alex C. , Ruetz Carl R. , Smith Kregg M.
Published: March 2013

We examined seasonal spatial distribution and diel movements of juvenile lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in Muskegon Lake, Michigan (a protected, drowned river mouth lake that links the Muskegon River to Lake Michigan). We surgically implanted ultrasonic tags in 20 juveniles (age 1–7) captured in gill nets to track their locations during August–December 2008/2009 and September 2010–October 2011. Most juveniles were observed ≤1.5 km from the mouth of the Muskegon River in Muskegon Lake at a mean depth of 7.5 m (SE = 1.3 m) during summer. In fall, juveniles moved away from the river mouth to the deepest part of Muskegon Lake and were observed at a mean depth of 15.8 m (SE = 1.3 m) during winter. The shift in spatial distribution coincided with fall turnover (i.e., loss of thermal stratification) and with changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the hypolimnion. During summer, DO concentrations in the hypolimnion were typically <4 mg·l−1 in the deepest part of Muskegon Lake and DO concentrations at locations of tagged lake sturgeon were >7 mg·l−1 in 94% of instances. Tracking in 2009 revealed no significant change in depth distribution or movement over the diel cycle. We only observed two tagged juveniles immigrating to Lake Michigan, suggesting that juveniles use Muskegon Lake for multiple years. Our results suggest that: (i) Muskegon Lake serves as an important nursery habitat for juvenile lake sturgeon that hatched in the Muskegon River before they enter Lake Michigan and (ii) seasonal changes in DO concentration in the hypolimnion likely affect the spatial distribution of juveniles in Muskegon Lake.