bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
House builder opinions of energy-efficient homes in the UK
Authors: Callaghan Nicola , Sommerville James , Craig Nigel
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to study house builder opinions of energy-efficient homes in the UK. The days of inconsiderate construction methods and disregard for the environment are becoming a thing of the past. If zero carbon (Zc) standards are to be implemented across all new homes within the UK, it is essential that house builders are willing and able to construct such homes to the necessary standards and to the volumes required. Although new generations of low carbon (Lc) and energy-efficient homes are beginning to break into the marketplace, house builders remain reluctant to introduce complex technologies during high effort builds.

Design/methodology/approach

– The findings from questionnaire responses provide an indication of the views of house builders relating to the incentives encouraging and barriers preventing them from producing mass market energy-efficient homes.

Findings

– This paper has uncovered the views and opinions of house builders relating to energy-efficient homes. The findings provide evidence that the house building industry is not fully engaged with the energy-efficiency concept; that house builders portray an inconsistent level of confidence in their ability to deliver energy-efficient homes; and that Government targets are too ambitious.

Originality/value

– The findings within this paper provide an overview of the opinions of house builders relating to energy-efficient homes using statistical analysis.
Efficiency of project health checks (PHCs) as an early warning system in practice
Authors: Haji-Kazemi Sara , Andersen Bjorn
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an overview on the concept of early warning (EW) signs in projects, briefly introduce the project health check (PHC) tool, and evaluate the level of efficiency of this tool as a source of data for an EW approach signaling that a project is about to experience problems in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two case projects from the telecommunication industry which have implemented the PHC system were investigated in order to observe how the use of this approach can help indicate EW signs which arise in projects and specify the area in which the problem is about to occur. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods has been implemented.

Findings

– The results show that although the application of PHC tool can to a certain extent contribute to identification of EW signs in projects but level of effectiveness of the PHC this tool as an EW system is dependent on several factors such as level of complexity of the project, average experience of project managers, etc. Also the empirical studies reveal that there is definitely potential for enhancement of the tool in order to improve its utilization as an EW system.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is limited to a single organization in the telecommunication industry. The projects are within the execution phase and the final outcomes of the projects are yet not acquired.

Practical implications

– The empirical case studies were developed to illustrate the level of efficiency of the use of PHC tool in projects and show how this tool can be used in order to better realize the potential problems timely enough to take preventive actions.

Originality/value

– This paper highlights the gap in the literature concerning the practical use of PHC/project health indicator tool as an EW system. It offers a new idea on how PHC tool can be used as an effective EW system and shed light on the factors which influence the reliability and validity of the data obtained via this tool in project. This paper is intended to be primarily of use to project management practitioners and practically oriented academics who are interested in developing fresh insights into new approaches for better management of projects.
Mentorship in academia
Authors: Zackariasson Peter
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The importance of mentorship in academia is discussed, and in particular the work of Timothy L. Wilson who has been instrumental for the author in this respect is described. Drawing on historical practices from academia and the arts, the purpose of this paper is to communicate why and how mentorship could be applied.

Design/methodology/approach

– As a conceptual paper this draws knowledge from the author's experience.

Findings

– The general message concerns the importance of mentorship in order to create a vibrant (and sustainable) academic community.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper is twofold: primarily it celebrates Timothy L. Wilson as a model to mentorship in academia, second it communicates the importance of mentorship per se.
Indicators of best practices in technology product development projects
Authors: Iamratanakul Supachart , F. Badir Yuosre , Siengthai Sununta , Sukhotu Vatcharapol
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to rank the importance of the critical success factors (CSFs) for best practices in technology product development in the Thailand electronics industry and to determine the relationships between these factors in terms of their impact on project success.

Design/methodology/approach

– Interviews with experts and a review of past studies are used to design an instrument for data collection. A case analysis is conducted to classify CSFs. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology is applied to analyze CSFs and investigate their relationships.

Findings

– The authors identified 14 “driving” and “dependent” factors, which were then classified into four factor categories: linkage, autonomous, dependent, or independent factors. The results show that strategic alignment was the most significant CSF. Three factors which had a high driving power and were less dependent on others were: follow-up work, co-ordination, and relationships with clients.

Practical implications

– The results may inform and assist technology project management in the little understood business cultures of the developing world. These finding may allow practitioners to prioritize the factors that drive project success when allocating their limited resources.

Originality/value

– This research contributes to the field of project management by identifying the relative importance of the CSFs which enhance the management of technology projects. Despite the abundance of studies on CSFs, their importance has still not been fully explained. The findings provide insights into the degree of importance of the factors and their interdependencies, which can either drive or undermine project success. In addition, the ISM methodology the authors used is a unique approach in the project management field.
Honesty in projects
Authors: Kvalnes Øyvind
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how the concept of honesty can shed light on misreporting issues in projects. Research on honesty can be useful for practitioners and researchers in project management, in order to understand and counter the withholding and distortion of relevant information from projects. In moral psychology, dishonesty is often explained as a result of moral neutralization. The paper provides an account of how neutralization can lead to dishonesty in projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– The current study is based on a literature review of research on misreporting and dishonesty in projects, and of relevant generic studies of honesty.

Findings

– The author concludes that the phenomenon of moral neutralization can explain dishonesty and misreporting in projects. Honesty can be encouraged by identifying attempts at moral neutralization, and rendering them unacceptable. At the core of this position is the view that the level of honesty amongst project members is most adequately understood and explained from a circumstance rather than a character approach.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on a literature review, and needs to be supported by further empirical studies within project management.

Practical implications

– The suggested primacy of a circumstance approach to honesty implies that project practitioners should be aware of the phenomenon of moral neutralization. Even people of good moral character can become involved in neutralization, in order to render misreporting acceptable. The central practical challenge can thus be to recognize tendencies of neutralization in one's own and other people's moral reasoning.

Originality/value

– The main contribution of this paper is to introduce the concept of honesty in general, and the concept of moral neutralization in particular, to project management research and practice. The paper also suggests concrete ways to redirect attention from character to circumstances, based on more general research findings in social and moral psychology.
Promoters in a matrix organization's social network during industrial project sales
Authors: Ryynänen Harri , T. Salminen Risto
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding about the key persons (promoters) in project business organizations. By doing this, the managers may enhance the communication flow by connecting the experts and the executives more efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is an in-depth single case study in which the case represents a typical industrial project sales process. The case is analysed through content analysis and social network analysis that offers a structured and rigorous method of analysing social networks.

Findings

– The findings indicate that during project sales there may be numerous process promoters with the dual roles of power and process promoter. In addition, this study demonstrated the appearance of process promoters in the project supplier's social network. The findings of the present study contribute to the literature on promoters by focusing especially on process promoters during project sales.

Practical implications

– The results of the present study suggest that the process promoters need to be identified and supported in order to build an effective cross-functional project sales team in project business.

Originality/value

– While the extant literature identifies the promoters in organizations, there appears to be a dearth of studies that relate to the early phases of project sales, despite the fact that these phases have a substantial impact on subsequent phases. This study is a rare example to study empirically the promoters in the project business organization's social network.
Does regional currency integration ameliorate global macroeconomic shocks in sub-Saharan Africa? The case of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis
Authors: N. Price Gregory , U. Elu Juliet
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider whether regional currency integration in sub-Saharan Africa ameliorates global macroeconomic shocks by considering the impact of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis on economic growth. This suggests that Central Africa Franc Zone (CFAZ) eurocurrency union membership amplifies the effects of global business cycles in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors estimate the parameters of a quantity theory model of economic growth within a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) Framework.

Findings

– Parameter estimates from GEE specifications reveal that the contraction in credit during the financial crisis of 2008-2009 had larger adverse growth effects on sub-Saharan African countries who were members of the CFAZ eurocurrency union. The authors also find that sub-Saharan African countries who were members of the CFAZ eurocurrency union were more likely to experience a contraction in credit.

Originality/value

– As far as the authors can discern, no existing empirical growth models use a GEE framework to estimate parameters of interest. The GEE parameter estimates are distribution-free, robust with respect to unknown forms of heteroskedasticity, and control for a wide variety of error structures that can induce bias in panel data parameter estimates.
Firing tax vs severance payments – an unequal comparison
Authors: Wesselbaum Dennis
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare two elements of lay-off costs in a dynamic model of the labor market and analyze the differences for business cycle dynamics and welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper builds a general equilibrium Real Business Cycle model and introduces firing costs and severance payments. Labor market frictions are assumed to follow the famous search and matching approach.

Findings

– The paper finds that firing costs imply a higher volatility over the cycle and have stronger negative welfare effects. Severance payments have a lower volatility, reduce unemployment, and reduce welfare by a smaller amount.

Practical implications

– Policy reforms should be aimed to use severance payments and reduce the ring cost component of lay-off costs.

Originality/value

– Increasing welfare and a more stable business cycle could be supported by using severance payments instead of firing costs.
Modeling drivers for successful adoption of environmentally conscious manufacturing
Authors: Kumar Mittal Varinder , Singh Sangwan Kuldip
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims at developing an interpretive structural model of drivers for environmentally conscious manufacturing (ECM). It will demonstrate how interpretive structural modeling (ISM) supports policy makers in the government and industry in identifying and understanding interdependencies among drivers for ECM. Interdependencies among drivers will be derived and structured into a hierarchy to derive subsystems of interdependent elements with corresponding driving power and dependency.

Design/methodology/approach

– ISM has been used to identify hierarchy and inter-relationships among drivers for ECM adoption and to classify the drivers according to their driving and dependence power using MICMAC analysis. The drivers for ECM adoption are identified through the review of literature followed by developing a model of drivers using ISM.

Findings

– The main findings of the paper include the development of an ISM model of drivers for ECM adoption. The developed model divided the identified drivers into five levels of hierarchies showing their inter-relationship and depicting the driving-dependence relationship. These five levels have been classified into four categories – awareness, external, organizational and benefits.

Originality/value

– The developed ISM model is expected to provide a direction to the policy makers in the government and industry and the top management of the organizations to leverage their resources in a timely manner to adopt ECM successfully.
Logistics service quality and its effects on customer satisfaction in the manufacturing companies’ supply chains
Authors: Politis Yannis , Giovanis Apostolos , Binioris Spyridon
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to implement a multi-criteria preference disaggregation approach to measure logistics service quality (LSQ) of manufacturing companies’ supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total 216 Greek manufacturing companies took part in a survey with the use of a dedicated questionnaire. They were asked to assess the LSQ of their primary supplier regarding a predefined set of criteria and sub-criteria. The data were analysed with the multi-criteria satisfaction analysis method, which represents an ordinal regression based approach used for customer satisfaction measurement.

Findings

– Weak points of the suppliers as well as dimensions that drive satisfaction were identified. Furthermore, the competitive advantages of the suppliers as well as their priorities for improvement were spotted.

Research limitations/implications

– The sampling framework, including only the manufacturing companies operating in a specific area of Greece, does not ensure the full generalisation of the results. A larger sample of manufacturing companies from all over Greece would be useful to obtain more reliable results and would enable the comparison of LSQ for different manufacturing sectors.

Practical implications

– The method used to assess LSQ of manufacturing companies can be installed as a permanent customer satisfaction barometer to measure, control and improve the LSQ provided to manufacturing companies as well as to other business sectors.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a method to explore the relationships between LSQ and industrial customers’ satisfaction to prioritise strategic plans of companies in the supply chains.
The impact of industrial clusters on human resource and firms performance
Authors: Hsu Maw-Shin , Lai Yung-Lung , Lin Feng-Jhy
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the formation of industrial clusters on the obtainment of professional human resources, to verify the impact of human resources on clustering relationships and firm’s performance and to understand whether the formation of clusters can contribute to the obtainment of professional human resources and the improvement of competitiveness of enterprises. It was expected that solutions could be found to make new contributions through the verification of special economic zones (SEZs).

Design/methodology/approach

– Using manufacturers in Taiwan’s SEZs as the subjects, this study explored the impact on the obtainment of professional human resources after the formation of industrial clusters in SEZs, through conducting and empirical study with a questionnaire survey.

Findings

– The professional human resources are the essential factor for the formation of industrial clusters and the improvement of competitiveness. This study also confirmed that industries can have professional human resources by industrial clustering and that this will produce a positive impact on the enterprise clustering relationships, which can also have a positive impact on firm’s performance and can enhance the enterprise’s competitive advantage.

Practical implications

– Industrial clustering is the key factor to attract professional human resources; industrial clusters can enhance firm’s performance; and professional human resources affect firm’s performance of enterprises.

Originality/value

– No study has discussed the topic of clusters from the perspective of SEZs also including six export processing zone (EPZ) parks in Taiwan. This study discussed the topic using theories relating to clustering and human resources. The formation of industrial clusters can result in higher competitiveness in the face of the global market. The EPZ industrial cluster provides an excellent investment environment. Coupled with one-stop express services and geographic advantage, the land-use rate is up to 97 per cent and the per hectare output value amounts to NTD 3.2 billion, setting a successful example of an industrial cluster.
Mindfulness, indigenous knowledge, indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship
Authors: Capel Celine
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to highlight the role of mindfulness in the development of indigenous knowledge (IK), indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship or new entry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through an extensive analysis of extant mindfulness and indigenous entrepreneurship literatures, the paper argues for the facilitating role of individual mindfulness in IK, indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship and generates several propositions as a result.

Findings

– The paper argues that mindfulness encourages the appreciation of other forms of knowledge and practices distinct from the more prevalent Western forms, and by so doing, promotes indigenous innovation and indigenous entrepreneurship (or indigenous new entry or new business venture).

Research limitations/implications

– It is reasoned that indigenous communities around the world have rich experiences and accumulated knowledge that have enabled them develop explanations of their environments and economic development and sustainability, and by recognizing and valuing such knowledge and experiences, mindfulness facilitates innovations and entrepreneurship.

Social implications

– The facilitating role of IK in developing indigenous innovations and indigenous entrepreneurship is clearly evident, at least in indigenous societies; however, researchers are yet to recognise and explore this dynamics as deserved. Mindfulness not only opens up the mindset of researchers to further explore this phenomenon but also helps society to recognise the contributions and value of IK.

Originality/value

– This work is a pioneer in the effort to integrate mindfulness concept into the indigenous entrepreneurship research. By using mindfulness lens to view the relationship between IK, indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship, the study locates mindfulness as both antecedent to and moderator of these relationships.
Global research status in leading nuclear science and technology journals during 2001-2010
Authors: Hosein Mardani Amir , Abdiazar Shahram
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment of the global status of research in nuclear science and technology (NST) publications.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present bibliometric study is based on bibliographic data that were retrieved from the Web of Science during 2001-2010. In all, 85,198 records published by the 35 journals under the category of NST in the database of Journal Citation Reports were assessed in terms of many aspects. A further assessment has been made using advanced bibliometric indicators such as field citation scores and collaboration network analysis using the NetDraw software.

Findings

– Unlike research-prolific countries, the annual growth rates of publications for most developing countries have experienced an evident leap. The highest scientific impact and productivity among the publications belonged to the International Journal of Radiation Biology (10.46). A limited group of prolific authors produced a considerable portion of the publications, among whom, Japanese authors had the most contributions. The USA is in the centre of the international collaborative network illustration and is also the main partner of most of the research-prolific countries. Nuclear physics has the greatest field normalised measured impact ratios (CPP/FCSm = 4.2) among the publications, which signifies its inherent impact on NST research. In general, like the inter-institutional collaborative publications, the internationally collaborative publications are more frequently cited and therefore have a higher scientific impact.

Originality/value

– The paper could aid to show collaborative research in the NST journals and assess the research performance of the NST.
In transition: academic e-book reading in an institution without e-books
Authors: Lopatovska Irene , Slater Aimee , Bronner Caitlin , El Mimouni Houda , Lange Leanora , Ludas Orlofsky Victoria
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to report the results of a study that examined the ways in which graduate-level library and information science students make use of e-books and e-readers at an institution that does not offer e-books through its library. The paper can be used as a case study in the adoption of emerging technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study used three research methods – a survey, focus groups and interviews – to investigate library and information science students’ reading habits and preferences.

Findings

– The findings suggest that despite the barriers of access and usability, the students have generally incorporated e-books into their academic routines. The results also suggest the factors that contribute to reader preferences for e-book technology.

Research limitations/implications

– The study sample was limited to one academic institution without e-book collection.

Originality/value

– The article presents one of the very few studies that examine e-book reading of an academic population that does not currently have access to e-books through their academic library. Understanding the ways in which such a population accesses, uses and values e-books would help many academic libraries make decisions with regard to the selection, integration and marketing of e-books. Additionally, such a study could serve as the basis of a case study that seeks to understand the ways in which people who do not have ready access to technology through their institutions find ways to work around that obstacle.
Understanding workplace meetings
Authors: A. Allen Joseph , Beck Tammy , W. Scott Cliff , G. Rogelberg Steven
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to propose a taxonomy of meeting purpose. Meetings are a workplace activity that deserves increased attention from researchers and practitioners. Previous researchers attempted to develop typologies of meeting purpose with limited success. Through a comparison of classification methodologies, the authors consider a taxonomy as the appropriate classification scheme for meeting purpose. The authors then utilize the developed taxonomy to investigate the frequency with which a representative sample of working adults engaged in meetings of these varying purposes. Their proposed taxonomy provides relevant classifications for future research on meetings as well and serves as a useful tool for managers seeking to use and evaluate the effectiveness of meetings within their organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employs an inductive methodology using discourse analysis of qualitative meeting descriptions to develop a taxonomy of meeting purpose. The authors discourse analysis utilizes open-ended survey responses from a sample of working adults (n= 491).

Findings

– The authors categorical analysis of open-ended questions resulted in a 16-category taxonomy of meeting purpose. The two most prevalent meeting purpose categories in this sample were “to discuss ongoing projects” at 11.6 per cent and “to routinely discuss the state of the business” at 10.8 per cent. The two least common meeting purpose categories in this sample were “to brainstorm for ideas or solutions” at 3.3 per cent and “to discuss productivity and efficiencies” at 3.7 per cent. The taxonomy was analyzed across organizational type and employee job level to identify differences between those important organizational and employee characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– The data suggested that meetings were institutionalized in organizations, making them useful at identifying differences between organizations as well as differences in employees in terms of scope of responsibility. Researchers and managers should consider the purposes for which they call meetings and how that manifests their overarching organizational focus, structure and goals.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to overtly attempt to categorize the various purposes for which meetings are held. Further, this study develops a taxonomy of meeting purposes that will prove useful for investigating the different types of meeting purposes in a broad range of organizational types and structures.
Information selection by managers: priorities and values attributed to the dimensions of information
Authors: Osvaldo De Sordi José , Meireles Manuel , Carvalho de Azevedo Marcia
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to understand the values perceived and the priorities attributed by the managers to four dimensions of information quality associated with meta-information commonly used in the initial selection (scanning) of content by managers: source credibility, comprehensiveness, timeliness, and confidentiality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study involved conducting simulations of information selection for decision making with 124 professionals from 11 different companies. The results were analysed with content analysis techniques, nonparametric statistics, and cluster analysis.

Findings

– Three levels of priority were found in the managers’ information selection process: the credibility and timeliness dimensions were the most highly prioritised, the comprehensiveness dimension was the least prioritised, and the confidentiality dimension occupied an intermediate position. The preferences of the managers are for current information and a well-known source with respect to the timeliness and source credibility dimensions, respectively. Regarding the confidentiality dimension, the preference is for restricted information, valued for the desire to know. For the comprehensiveness dimension, there was no well-defined preference for managers with respect to the quantity of text in a managerial report.

Practical implications

– The knowledge of priorities and values attributed to the dimensions of information quality is critical for the definition of characteristics to be incorporated into information projects.

Originality/value

– This study's contribution is related to the process of information selection in a dynamic situation in which little time is available to information analysis.
Understanding news sharing in social media
Authors: Ma Long , Sian Lee Chei , Hoe-Lian Goh Dion
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to draw from the diffusion of innovations theory to explore multi-levels of influences (i.e. individuals, networks, news attributes) on news sharing in social media.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was designed and administered to 309 respondents. Structural equation modelling analysis was conducted to examine the three levels of influential factors. These included self-perceptions of opinion leadership and seeking at the individual level, perceived tie strength and homophily at the network level, and finally, perceived news credibility and news preference at the news attribute level.

Findings

– The results revealed that the influences of self-perceptions of opinion leadership, perceived tie strength in online networks and perceived preference of online news had significant effects on users’ news sharing intention in social media. However, self-perceptions of opinion seeking, homophily, and perceived news credibility were not significant.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first studies on news sharing in social media that focus on diverse levels of influential factors. In particular, the research suggests the viability of the diffusion of innovations theory to explain this pervasive global phenomenon. Further, the influential factors identified may help to stimulate active participation in social media platforms and ultimately enhance the sustainability of these platforms.
Deciphering the uniqueness of Mucoromycotina cell walls by combining biochemical and phylogenomic approaches
Authors: Mélida Hugo , Sain Divya , Stajich Jason E. , Bulone Vincent
Published: August 2014

Most fungi from the Mucoromycotina lineage occur in ecosystems as saprobes, although some species are phytopathogens or may induce human mycosis. Mucoromycotina represent early diverging models that are most valuable for understanding fungal evolution. Here we reveal the uniqueness of the cell wall structure of the Mucoromycotina Rhizopus oryzae and Phycomyces blakesleeanus compared with the better characterized cell wall of the ascomycete Neurospora crassa. We have analysed the corresponding polysaccharide biosynthetic and modifying pathways, and highlight their evolutionary features and higher complexity in terms of gene copy numbers compared with species from other lineages. This work uncovers the presence in Mucoromycotina of abundant fucose‐based polysaccharides similar to algal fucoidans. These unexpected polymers are associated with unusually low amounts of glucans and a higher proportion of chitin compared with N. crassa. The specific structural features are supported by the identification of genes potentially involved in the corresponding metabolic pathways. Phylogenomic analyses of genes encoding carbohydrate synthases, polysaccharide modifying enzymes and enzymes involved in nucleotide‐sugar formation provide evidence for duplication events during evolution of cell wall metabolism in fungi. Altogether, the data highlight the specificity of Mucoromycotina cell walls and pave the way for a finer understanding of their metabolism.
Use of cffDNA to avoid administration of anti‐D to pregnant women when the fetus is RhD‐negative: implementation in the NHS
Authors: Soothill PW , Finning K , Latham T , Wreford‐Bush T , Ford J , Daniels G
Published: August 2014

Objective

To determine whether a policy of offering cffDNA testing to all RhD‐negative women at about 16 weeks’ gestation to avoid anti‐D administration when the fetus is RhD‐negative could be implemented successfully in the NHS without additional funding.

Design

Prospectively planned observational service implementation pilot and notes audit.

Setting

Three maternity services in the South West of England.

Population

All RhD‐negative women in a 6‐month period.

Methods

Prospective, intervention, cross‐sectional observational study, using pre‐intervention data as controls.

Main outcome measures

Proportion of suitable women who offered and accepted the test. Accuracy of the cffDNA result as assessed by cord blood group result. Fall in anti‐D doses administered.

Results

529 samples were received; three were unsuitable. The results were reported as RhD‐positive (n = 278), RhD‐negative (n = 185) or inconclusive, treat as positive (n = 63). Cord blood results were available in 502 (95%) and the only incorrect result was one case of a false positive (cffDNA reported as positive, cord blood negative – and so given anti‐D unnecessarily). The notes audit showed that women who declined this service were correctly managed and that anti‐D was not given when the fetus was predicted to be RhD‐negative. The total use of anti‐D doses fell by about 29% which equated to about 35% of RhD‐negative women not receiving anti‐D in their pregnancy unnecessarily.

Conclusions

We recommend this service is extended to all UK NHS services.
Reduced CD200 and CD200R1 expression in human chorionic villi contributes to early spontaneous abortion
Authors: Wang Li‐Qin , Yan Chun‐Fang , Zhao Yue , Chu Jing , Yu Xue‐Wen
Published: August 2014

Objective

To examine the expression of CD200 and its receptor (CD200R) in human chorionic villi during the first trimester of normal pregnancy and early spontaneous abortion (ESA).

Design

Prospective study.

Methods

Expression of CD200 and CD200R in the chorionic villi was determined using streptavidin‐peroxidase immunohistochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscopy and real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Population

Thirty‐five women diagnosed with ESA and 30 women experiencing a healthy pregnancy in a medical university hospital in China were enrolled in this study between 2011 and 2013.

Main outcome measures

CD200 and CD200R expression.

Results

The expression of CD200 in syncytiotrophoblast cells was significantly higher during normal pregnancy than in ESA (0.51 ± 0.05 vs. 0.35 ± 0.05). In contrast, expression of CD200 in cytotrophoblast cells and CD200R in stromal cells was significantly lower during normal pregnancy when compared with ESA (CD200: 0.16 ± 0.02 vs. 0.32 ± 0.03; CD200R: 0.19 ± 0.03 vs. 0.22 ± 0.02). In villi, the expression of both CD200 protein and CD200R transcripts were significantly higher in healthy first‐trimester pregnancy than in ESA (CD200: 156.89 ± 105.65 vs. 37.51 ± 17.62).

Conclusions

There is an increase in inhibitory properties of human chorionic villi during normal pregnancy. The mechanism underlying ESA might be associated with enhanced expression of CD200 and CD200R in the trophoblast, leading to an upregulation of the immune response during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Usefulness of the insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 bedside test for ruptured fetal membranes
Authors: Kallioniemi Hanna , Rahkonen Leena , Heikinheimo Oskari , Stefanovic Vedran , Paavonen Jorma
Published: August 2014

Objective

We evaluated whether phosphorylated insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 (phIGFBP‐1) in blood or from other sources interferes with the vaginal IGFBP‐1 dipstick test in rupture of fetal membranes (ROM).

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Antenatal Clinic, University Hospital.

Population

A total of 247 pregnant women consulting the emergency obstetric unit with self‐reported amniotic fluid leakage.

Methods

Vaginal samples were tested with the IGFBP‐1 dipstick test and the concentrations of different IGFBP‐1 isoforms were measured by two immunoenzymometric assays.

Main outcome measure

IGFBP‐1 dipstick test result in the presence or absence of blood and different phosphoisoforms of IGFBP‐1.

Results

The dipstick test was positive in 37.2% of women and negative in 62.8% of women. Vaginal bleeding was present in 19.4%. In women with a positive test and clinical evidence of ROM, both IGFBP‐1 and phIGFBP‐1 concentrations in vaginal fluid were lower in women with than in women without bleeding (p = 0.025 and p = 0.031, respectively). No difference was found in concentrations of IGFBP‐1 and phIGFBP‐1 in women with a positive dipstick test without ROM, with or without vaginal bleeding. In women with a negative test the concentrations of IGFBP‐1 and phIGFBP‐1 remained below the cut‐off for the test, regardless of bleeding. IGFBP‐1 concentration did not differ by cervical status, but phIGFBP‐1 concentration was higher in women with a ripe cervix (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Rapid vaginal dipstick test can be used in the detection of ROM irrespective of the presence or absence of blood. Positive tests near term indicate either ROM or leakage of less phIGFBP‐1 associated with onset of delivery.
Stimulation of invariant natural killer T cells by α‐Galactosylceramide activates the JAK‐STAT pathway in endothelial cells and reduces angiogenesis in the 5T33 multiple myeloma model
Authors: Nur Haneen , Rao Luigia , Frassanito Maria Antonia , De Raeve Hendrik , Ribatti Domenico , Mfopou Josué Kunjom , Van Valckenborgh Els , De Bruyne Elke , Vacca Angelo , Vanderkerken Karin , Menu Eline
Published: August 2014

Tumour pathogenesis in multiple myeloma (MM) correlates with a high vascular index. Therefore, targeting angiogenesis is an important therapeutic tool to reduce MM progression. This study aimed to investigate the role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in angiogenesis and the mechanisms behind the stimulation by α‐Galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer). We have previously found that α‐GalCer could increase the survival of 5T33MM mice and here we demonstrate that α‐GalCer reduces the microvessel density. We performed both in vivo and in vitro angiogenic assays to confirm this observation. We found that conditioned medium of α‐GalCer stimulated iNKT cells reduced neovascularization in the chick chorioallantoic membrane and in matrigel plug assays. Moreover, we observed a reduction in proliferation, migration and network formation and an induction of apoptosis upon exposure of murine endothelial cell lines to this conditioned medium. We furthermore observed that the JAK‐STAT signaling pathway was highly activated in endothelial cells in response to stimulated iNKT cells, indicating the possible role of IFN‐γ in the anti‐angiogenic process. In conclusion, these results highlight the possibility of recruiting iNKT cells to target MM and angiogenesis. This gives a rationale for combining immunotherapy with conventional anti‐tumour treatments in view of increasing their therapeutic potential.
Migrant Children, Social Capital and Access to Services Post‐Migration: Transitions, Negotiations and Complex Agencies
Authors: Sime Daniela , Fox Rachael
Published: August 2014

For migrant children, moving to a new country is marked by excitement, anxiety and practical challenges in managing this significant transition. This paper draws upon the concepts of social capital and social networks to examine migrant children's access to services post‐migration. Using data from a qualitative study with Eastern European families in Scotland, we identify a range of cumulative barriers that limit children's access to services and illustrate how their experiences are shaped by ethnicity, social class and place. The study shows that migrant children are often disadvantaged post‐migration and develop their own mechanisms to mitigate the impact of migration on their lives. We argue that migrant children's own social networks are relevant and they need to be analysed through a more individualised approach.
‘I am not poor. Poor children live in Africa’: Social identity and children's perspectives on growing up in contexts of poverty and deprivation in the Netherlands
Authors: Sarti Asia , Schalkers Inge , Dedding Christine
Published: August 2014

This study focuses on problems children living in contexts of poverty face in daily life and how they perceive poverty. Findings are based on research with children (8–12 years) from impoverished areas in the Netherlands. Besides the problems as identified by the children, such as the poor quality of playgrounds and the lack of money for activities, we identified a striking paradox, namely the taboo on or denial of poverty versus the pervasiveness of poverty. To understand and handle this contradiction, we reflect on representation of children growing up in contexts of poverty through a social identity framework.
Correlation of Hippocampal Volume and Cognitive Performances in Patients with Either Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Peng Guo‐Ping , Feng Zhan , He Fang‐Ping , Chen Zhong‐Qin , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Liu Ping , Luo Ben‐Yan
Published: August 2014

Objective

To evaluate hippocampal volume changes and neuropsychological performances in patients with either amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Thirty‐eight AD dementia, 22 aMCI patients, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Bilateral hippocampal volume was measured concurrently with mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), Boston naming test (BNT), and activities of daily living (ADL) test. Baseline and two additional follow‐up examinations were conducted.

Results

Baseline hippocampal volumes were significantly smaller in AD group than that in aMCI and control groups. MMSE, AVLT, ADL, and BNT scores for the AD group were significantly different from that of both aMCI and control groups. Baseline hippocampal volumes were positively correlated with MMSE and AVLT scores in AD and aMCI patients. At follow‐up, left hippocampal volume loss was positively correlated with decreased MMSE and AVLT scores both in AD and aMCI groups, while right hippocampal volume loss was positively associated with decreased AVLT performance only in AD group. Increased ADL and decreased BNT scores were positively associated with left hippocampal volume reduction only in the AD group.

Conclusions

Current findings provide evidence of a close relationship between hippocampal volume and cognitive performances in patients with AD and aMCI, both at baseline and over follow‐up.
Service‐learning's impact on dental students' attitude towards community service
Authors: Coe J. M. , Best A. M. , Warren J. J. , McQuistan M. R. , Kolker J. L. , Isringhausen K. T.
Published: August 2014

Background

This study evaluated service‐learning programme's impact on senior dental students' attitude towards community service at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry. Experience gained through service‐learning in dental school may positively impact dental students' attitude towards community service that will eventually lead into providing care to the underserved.

Materials and methods

Two surveys (pre‐ and post‐test) were administered to 105 senior dental students. For the first survey (post‐test), seventy‐six students of 105 responded and reported their attitude towards community service immediately after the service‐learning programme completion. Three weeks later, 56 students of the 76 responded to the second survey (retrospective pre‐test) and reported their recalled attitude prior to the programme retrospectively.

Results

A repeated‐measure mixed‐model analysis indicated that overall there was improvement between pre‐test and post‐test. Scales of connectedness, normative helping behaviour, benefits, career benefits and intention showed a significant pre‐test and post‐test difference. An association between attitude towards community service and student characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity and volunteer activity was also examined. Only ethnicity showed an overall significant difference. White dental students appear to have a differing perception of the costs of community service.

Conclusions

The service‐learning programme at VCU School of Dentistry has positively impacted senior dental students' attitude towards community service.
Frequency matters: beta‐band subthalamic nucleus deep‐brain stimulation induces Parkinsonian‐like blink abnormalities in normal rats
Authors: Kaminer Jaime , Thakur Pratibha , Evinger Craig
Published: August 2014

The synchronized beta‐band oscillations in the basal ganglia‐cortical networks in Parkinson's disease (PD) may be responsible for PD motor symptoms or an epiphenomenon of dopamine loss. We investigated the causal role of beta‐band activity in PD motor symptoms by testing the effects of beta‐frequency subthalamic nucleus deep‐brain stimulation (STN DBS) on the blink reflex excitability, amplitude, and plasticity in normal rats. Delivering 16 Hz STN DBS produced the same increase in blink reflex excitability and impairment in blink reflex plasticity in normal rats as occurs in rats with 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions and patients with PD. These deficits were not an artifact of STN DBS because, when these normal rats received 130 Hz STN DBS, their blink characteristics were the same as without STN DBS. To demonstrate that the blink reflex disturbances with 16 Hz STN DBS were frequency specific, we tested the same rats with 7 Hz STN DBS, a theta‐band frequency typical of dystonia. In contrast to beta stimulation, 7 Hz STN DBS exaggerated the blink reflex plasticity as occurs in focal dystonia. Thus, without destroying dopamine neurons or blocking dopamine receptors, frequency‐specific STN DBS can be used to create PD‐like or dystonic‐like symptoms in a normal rat.