bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of geographical information systems for the optimal location of a commercial network
Authors: Rodríguez Vicente , Olarte-Pascual Cristina , Saco Manuela
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the optimization of the geographical location of a network of points of sale, so that each retailer can have access to a potential geographic market. In addition, the authors study the importance of the distance variable in the commercial viability of a point of sale and a network of points of sale, analysing if the best location for each point (local optimum) is always the best location for the whole (global optimum).

Design/methodology/approach

Location-allocation models are applied using p-median algorithms and spatial competition maximization to analyse the actual journeys of 64,740 car buyers in 1240 postal codes using a geographic information system (GIS) and geomarketing techniques.

Findings

The models show that the pursuit of individual objectives by each concessionaire over the collective provides poorer results for the whole network of points of sale when compared to coordinated competition. The solutions provided by the models considering geographic and marketing criteria permit a reduction in the length of journeys made by the buyers. GIS allows the optimal control of market demand coverage through the collaborative strategies of the supplying retailers, in this case, car dealerships.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the joint research of geography and marketing from a theoretical and practical point of view. The main contribution is the use of information on actual buyer journeys for the optimal location of a network of points of sale. This research also contributes to the analysis of the correlation between the optimum local and optimum global locations of a commercial network and is a pioneering work in the application of these models to the automotive sector in the territorial area of the study.
Making sense of events in literature and life through collaboration
Authors: Beach Richard , Falter Michelle M. , Whitley Jennifer Jackson
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to make the case for the value of fostering collaborative sensemaking in responding to literature. Drawing on examples of classroom interactions in 6th-, 8th-, 11th- and 12th-grade classrooms, it proposes methods for teachers to foster collaborative sensemaking.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on theories of “participatory sensemaking” (Fuchs and De Jaegher, 2009), transactional literary response (Rosenblatt, 1994) and “comprehension-as-sensemaking” pedagogy (Aukerman, 2013), this paper conceptualizes collaborative sensemaking to illustrate how teachers foster making sense of texts through sharing responses based on lived-world experiences, understanding the use of literary techniques and understanding events in students’ own lives.

Findings

Given that this is not an empirical study, there are no findings. The discussion of students’ sensemaking practices in responding to classroom texts, suggests the importance of teachers creating open-ended response events in which students collaboratively support each other in making sense of characters’ actions and events, as opposed to having to conform to teachers’ predetermined agendas.

Practical implications

Analysis of the classroom discussions suggests the importance of building students’ trust in the process of sensemaking itself, fostering adoption of alternative perspectives as central to sensemaking and using activities for students’ translating or rewriting events in texts to co-create texts with authors.

Originality/value

This paper explores the importance of teachers engaging students in open-ended, sensemaking response events based on attending to “in-between,” dialogic meanings through sharing emotions, alternative perspectives and related experiences to enhance students’ engagement in responding to literature.
How to realize strategy and build competitive advantage through your people: increase resource heterogeneity; decrease resource mobility
Authors: Davis Paul J.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to provide practical suggestions to practitioners of human resources (HR) that show how employees can be a source of competitive advantage for the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on earlier research and practical experience.

Findings

That resource-based theory can be practically applied to HR management to develop employees to be a source of competitive advantage.

Practical implications

This paper provides HR practitioners with concrete examples to improve practice and work strategically for the benefit of employees and the wider firm.

Originality/value

This paper shows how a theory of strategy translates into everyday practice for HR practitioners.
Implementation of a clinical governance framework to 17 Combat Service Support Brigade, Australian Army
Authors: Currie Jane , Mateer Jane , Weston Damien , Anderson Elizabeth , Harding Jackson
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In 2012, Headquarters 17 Combat Service Support Brigade (HQ 17 CSS Bde) implemented a clinical governance framework. The framework is intended as a quality improvement tool through which excellence in deployed healthcare is achieved. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of this clinical governance framework to 17 CSS Bde and present feedback provided by users on their application of the clinical governance framework.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic survey was disseminated to the four 17 CSS Bde deployable health battalions (n=1,061). Qualitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis.

Findings

In total, there were 105 responses providing valid data for analysis. The data identified mixed understanding and awareness of clinical governance amongst participants, and pinpointed aspects of the framework that needed refinement.

Practical implications

The results highlight important challenges implementing a clinical governance framework for deployable health units. The authors propose embedding clinical governance education in all army soldier and officer health courses to remedy deficits in knowledge and understanding. Recommendations for further development of the clinical governance framework are also made with particular emphasis on education, clinical risk and clinical evaluation.

Originality/value

This paper offers unique insight into the implementation of a clinical governance framework to the 17 CSS Bde, Australian Army. The results suggest that levels of understanding and awareness of clinical governance are stalling its translation through the military hierarchy. The data identify that implementation of a clinical governance framework is not easy, even within a military environment where the culture is to follow orders and obey the chain of command.
Dementia-friendly wards
Authors: Eastham Amy Jayne , Cox Diane
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, practice-based mixed methods small-scale study, is to explore the design features of a “dementia friendly” acute ward environment and, staff views on the implications of daily activity engagement for patients with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight staff members of the multidisciplinary team who work full time on an acute “dementia friendly” ward completed semi-structured questionnaires. Thematic analysis explored responses to the open-ended questions, and a further environmental assessment tool rated features of the “dementia friendly” ward design, on promoting aspects of well-being in patients with dementia.

Findings

Six overarching themes were found. These included: contrasting ward colours; clear ward signage; positive staff interaction; memorabilia, and activity rooms and items, had a positive influence on patient interaction, well-being and engagement in daily activities. The audit scores were rated highly for various aspects of the ward design. These included: the ward design promoting patient interaction, well-being, mobility, orientation, continence, eating and drinking and calm and security.

Research limitations/implications

This practice-based small-scale study highlights the importance that a “dementia friendly” ward environment may have on patient engagement and well-being, from a daily activity perspective. Further research into the key aspects of design that enable meaningful daily activity engagement is required.

Practical implications

This study supports staff perceived views of the positive influence that “dementia friendly” design may have for patients with dementia. Both the physical design modifications of the ward and staff interaction were highlighted as positively influencing patient well-being, and daily activity engagement. Staff members also felt that they needed to balance the clinical ward priorities, with the contextual requirements of patients with dementia, to establish an effective “dementia friendly” ward.

Originality/value

The value of this research is the combined consideration of an environmental assessment tool and qualitative interviews with members of the multidisciplinary team.
Use of prone position restraint within a mental health trust
Authors: Shaw Elizabeth , Sivananthan Anushtayini , Wood David Phillip , Partington James , Reavy Alison Pearl , Fishwick Helen Jane
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the quality of care of patients presenting with challenging behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Current guidelines are described, and adherence to the standards is audited, with a particular emphasis on physical restraint.

Findings

The results of the clinical audit revealed that in the substantial majority of episodes of challenging behaviour, non-physical techniques were used prior to the need to intervene with physical restraint; however, when physical restraint was used, there was limited use of staff debriefs to facilitate reflection- and work-based learning. A potential diagnostic link to the likelihood of use of prone position restraint was also a finding. The results of a quality improvement project undertaken in response to the findings of the clinical audit demonstrated significant and sustained improvements in adherence to most standards.

Practical implications

Continuous improvements to the safety of both patients and staff when managing acute challenging behaviour requires ongoing quality improvement interventions underpinned by the application of human factors principles.

Originality/value

The completion of this audit cycle suggests that it is useful to measure specific points of care processes, however, continuous improvement interventions are indicated to lead to sustained improvement – in this paper this is demonstrated by the safer management of challenging behaviour.
Seller ethnicity and property characteristics: foreclosure sales in Malaysia
Authors: Wong Woei-Chyuan , Lee Janice Yim Mei , Daud MD Nasir , Ng Pooi Leng
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of property sale probability and sale price at auction in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage Heckman sample selection model is used for this research. The first stage involves the estimation of a probit model on a successful sale. The second stage introduces an additional selection variable, the inverse Mills ratio, as an explanatory variable to the sale price estimation equation.

Findings

The authors find that Chinese-owned auctioned properties have higher sale probability and are sold at higher prices as compared to Indian and Malay-auctioned properties. Properties auctioned by the largest auction house outperformed other smaller auctioneers. Auction characteristics such as proximity to the city center, number of previous auction attempts and number of online viewers are positively related to sale price and sale probability.

Social implications

The findings on the substantially lower sale price obtained by Malay and Indian borrowers compared to their Chinese counterparts imply that it is much harder for these borrowers to be relieved from financial distress. The two plausible explanations offered in this paper for this price differential, i.e. racial residential segregation and ownership restriction, warrant further study.

Originality/value

First, the authors consider the explanatory power of seller ethnicity, number of online viewers and auctioning route which are new to the literature. Second, they use a Heckman model that addresses possible selection bias of sold properties. This methodology is unexplored in the auction literature.
Microstructure of asset prices, property income and discount rates in the Tokyo residential market
Authors: Shimizu Chihiro
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to decompose and measure the microstructure of property investment returns for Tokyo’s residential property markets in as much detail as possible in comparison with office market.

Design/methodology/approach

Using enterprise value data for property investment trust companies composed of share prices available on capital markets, this study proposed a method of estimating property investment returns corresponding to changes in capital markets, and clarified the distortion in capitalization rate that are formed based on property appraisal prices.

Findings

The results for residential property showed that as building floor space increased, income and price increased while the discount rate decreased. In particular, a higher return could be obtained from office property than residential property by investing in larger-scale properties. Building age lowered asset price and income for both residential and office property, especially for residential property.

Research limitations/implications

In Japan, investors believe that investment returns are high for properties close to the city centre, relatively new properties and those with large design or floor space. Therefore, this study first measured how asset prices, income and asset price–income ratios that comprise property investment returns change based on differences in these property characteristics. Second, the reliability/distortion of information that can be observed on the property investment market was measured. Furthermore, there was a significant divergence between discount rates and risk premiums formed by asset or space markets versus capital markets.

Practical implications

The differences of discount rate and risk premium formed by asset markets versus capital markets indicate that appraisal prices have biases. Thus, when it comes to property investment decisions, it is essential to make active use not just of property investment returns based on appraisal prices formed by asset markets but also information formed by capital markets.

Social implications

A greater difference was generated in a shrinking market, suggesting that analysing property returns estimated on asset market information alone could lead to erroneous investment decisions.

Originality/value

This research is the first to use the enterprise value data from real estate investment trust companies composed of share prices available on capital markets for calculating discount rate and risk premium in property market.
Work-related attitudes as antecedents of perceived individual-, unit- and organisation-level performance
Authors: Salminen Hanna , Vanhala Mika , Heilmann Pia
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to the debate on employees’ subjective performance evaluations by examining how organisational commitment and job satisfaction are related to perceived performance at the individual, unit and organisation levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative survey data were collected from two large corporations in Finland: one operating in the field of information and communications technology and the other in the forestry industry. The partial least squares (PLS) method was used for the data analyses.

Findings

Both job satisfaction and organisational commitment had a positive effect on employees’ perceived individual-, unit- and organisation-level performance. These effects were the strongest at the organisation level.

Originality/value

To date, limited attention has been paid to perceived individual-, unit- and organisation-level performance as a consequence of organisational commitment and job satisfaction.
Influencer identification in Twitter networks of destination marketing organizations
Authors: Bokunewicz Jane F. , Shulman Jason
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) use Twitter to promote attractions and special events and to build brand awareness. Tweets of a DMO spread through a complex network of connected accounts. Some of these are more influential than others due to their position within the network. This paper aims to use a network analysis of 14 DMOs to identify the categories of influencers that have the greatest reach.

Design/methodology/approach

NodeXL was used to download and analyze network data from Twitter during July 2016 for a collection of DMOs promoting US cities. Accounts in the networks were ranked using several measures of relative influence such as the number of times the accounts mentioned/retweeted others or were mentioned in posts about the DMO. The most influential accounts in the network were identified and coded by category.

Findings

Media, promotional accounts and those of individuals were determined to be influential by each metric considered. Stakeholders such as hotels and restaurants occupy positions of low importance in the networks and generally do not capitalize on opportunities provided by the DMOs.

Practical implications

DMOs can seek out strategic partnerships with key influencers to maximize their effectiveness. Additionally, stakeholders can improve their Twitter presence by interacting with the DMOs and other influential accounts.

Originality/value

This paper identifies influencers that can aid in DMOs’ marketing campaigns. It also presents a methodology that can monitor the effectiveness of such campaigns, something absent in the current literature.
Exploring tourists’ cultural experiences in Naples through online reviews
Authors: Simeon Maria I. , Buonincontri Piera , Cinquegrani Fernando , Martone Assunta
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse online reviews to explore the experiences of tourists related to cultural attractions. Furthermore, the study identifies similarities and differences between cultural attractions and identifies tourists’ preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis and principal component analysis are applied to 12.592 online reviews, in Italian, posted on TripAdvisor by tourists who visited 58 cultural attractions of Naples (Italy) between 2011 and 2014.

Findings

Findings reveal five critical components of tourists’ experience related to cultural attractions: wonder, authenticity, relaxation, discovery and knowledge. Findings show that tourists can interpret cultural attractions in different ways.

Research limitations/implications

This study makes advancements on the relationships between tourists’ experience and cultural attractions. Research limitations are related to the geographical context and to the database, which presents a strong standardisation of evaluations, almost never negative. Furthermore, the analysis is limited to online reviews written in Italian language. Future studies will be dedicated to explore reviews in other languages and on other cultural destinations.

Practical implications

The study draws managerial implications at local and general level. Locally, findings provide suggestions and practical implications to support the tourism policies and marketing of Naples. At general level, the paper provides implications for destination manager organisations and policy makers to strengthen the attractiveness of cultural attractions, develop destination marketing strategies and offer more satisfying cultural experiences.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies that uses online reviews to explore the experiences of tourists who visit cultural attractions.
Social media in the airline industry: acceptance of social seating
Authors: Koch Stefan , Tritscher Franziska
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze influences on the adoption of an application launched by some airlines and independent providers, called “social seating”, which is based on user profiles from or similar to social networks. These applications have not been widely successful, and therefore constitute an interesting exception within the area of social networking, warranting further investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study based on the technology acceptance model and using survey methodology has been undertaken to understand antecedents of adoption and use of such applications.

Findings

Results show a consistent influence of perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness, as well as a strong role of privacy and data security.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited adoption, the actual use could only be investigated using a small data set, while the majority of results rely on stated intentions.

Originality/value

This is one of a few studies that focuses on a social networking application that both crosses into the physical world, and that has been very limited in adoption and success.
Time-varying beta during the 2008 financial crisis – evidence from North America and Western Europe
Authors: Ben Slimane Ikrame , Bellalah Makram , Rjiba Hatem
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of the global financial crisis on the conditional beta in the region of North America and Western Europe and the effect on the behavior and decisions of the investor.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors model the variations of volatility in financial markets during crisis using the bivariate GARCH model of Engle and Kroner (1995).

Findings

The empirical investigation identifies an additional effect of the crisis over the period of the test. Results indicate a rise in the beta in some cases and a fall in others. This rise had a direct impact on the systematic beta risk, which increased for the majority of the companies during the crisis period. The increase in beta during the crisis period has an effect on the behavior of the investor and his decisions.

Research limitations/implications

The increase in the beta during the period of crisis due to a high volatility returns has an effect on the behavior and decisions of the investor.

Originality/value

This paper examines the effects of the “subprime crisis” on the risk premium of companies in several sectors of activity.
Development of wood structural elements for fire resistant buildings
Authors: Ohashi Hirokazu , Igarashi Shinya , Nagaoka Tsutomu
Published: July 2017

Purpose

As forestry contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases by CO2 fixation, in recent years, use of wood in buildings has attracted all over the world more attention. However, construction of large wood structures is almost inexistent within urban areas in Japan. This is due to the Japanese law on fire protection of wood buildings in cities, which is considered very strict with severe requirements. This paper aims to present a research work relative to the development of one-hour fire-resistant wood structural elements for buildings in cities. The developed elements are composed of three layers made of laminated timber.

Design/methodology/approach

These wood structural elements, made of glued laminated timber with self-charring-stop, have sufficient fire resistance during and after a fire and comply with the strict Japanese standard for wood structural elements, which stipulates that such elements have to withstand the whole dead-load of concerned buildings after fire. To comply with such requirements, new elements of glued laminated timber with self-charring-stop layer were developed, and their performance was confirmed. Several fire-resistant tests conducted on columns, beams, column-beam joints, connections between beams and walls and beams with holes were carried out.

Findings

All tests proved that the elements have sufficient fire resistance. No damage was found out at the load-bearing part of the elements after testing. As the developed elements have two layers protecting the load-bearing part, the temperature in the load-bearing part could be retained below 260°C (carbonization temperature) and provide the elements with a sufficient fire resistance for 1 h.

Practical implications

These wood structural elements have already been applied in six projects, where large-size wooden buildings were constructed in urban areas in Japan.

Originality/value

The proposed structural elements use a novel technique. Every wooden element is composed of three layers made of glued laminated timber. The elements have a typical performance of self-charring-stop after fire without need for water of firefighters. More technologies related to these elements, including column-beam joints and beams with holes and effect of crack, were also developed to design and construct safe wooden buildings.
Tapping the potential of sensemaking for performance management
Authors: Flumerfelt Shannon , Calvo-Amodio Javier , Porter J. David
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework, the CX Framework, for organizational sensemaking of systems-based performance management.

Design/methodology/approach

The design/methodology/approach of this paper is theoretical analysis and empirical testing.

Findings

The findings on the CX Framework were that organizational sensemaking was aligned with performance management theory and was enhanced with the use of the CX Framework.

Research limitations/implications

The research limitations are that empirical testing has been done on the CX Framework, and therefore, generalizations are not possible.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this paper are that it aids in providing visual management to system complexity as a source of better performance management.

Social implications

The social implications of this paper are that it informs management science about the importance of sensemaking as both a human and technical act.

Originality/value

The originality of this article is the visual and analytical presentation of enhanced organizational sensemaking as a source of informed performance management.
Measurement issues of shared decision making in mental health: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Perestelo-Perez Lilisbeth , Rivero-Santana Amado , Alvarez-Perez Yolanda , Zisman-Ilani Yaara , Kaminskiy Emma , Serrano Aguilar Pedro
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Shared decision making (SDM) is a model of health care in which patients are involved in the decision-making process about their treatment, considering their preferences and concerns in a deliberative process with the health care provider. Many existing instruments assess the antecedents, process, or the outcomes of SDM. The purpose of this paper is to identify the SDM-related measures applied in a mental health context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed a systematic review in several electronic databases from 1990 to October 2016. Studies that assessed quantitatively one or more constructs related to SDM (antecedents, process, and outcomes) in the field of mental health were included.

Findings

The authors included 87 studies that applied 48 measures on distinct SDM constructs. A large majority of them have been developed in the field of physical diseases and adapted or directly applied in the mental health context. The most evaluated construct is the SDM process in consultation, mainly by patients’ self-report but also by external observer measures, followed by the patients’ preferences for involvement in decision making. The most applied instrument was the Autonomy Preference Index, followed by the Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making (OPTION) and the Control Preferences Scale (CPS). The psychometric validation in mental health samples of the instruments identified is scarce.

Research limitations/implications

The bibliographic search is comprehensive, but could not be completely exhaustive. Effort should be invested in the development of new SDM for mental health tools that will reflect the complexity and specific features of mental health care.

Originality/value

The authors highlight several limitations and challenges for the measurement of SDM in mental health care.
Agglomeration of fast food companies in Brazil
Authors: Beatriz Madeira Adriana , Giampaoli Viviana
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study aims to understand how the institutional and populational characteristics of a Brazilian city, that is, size, gross domestic product (GDP), life expectancy, education, violence and amount of workers benefiting from PAT (Workers’ Food Program) bias the agglomeration of fast-food companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved 7,653 units distributed among 270 brands of fast-food chains (9 foreign and 261 Brazilian) operating in 542 Brazilian cities in 2015 and institutional and populational characteristics information about them. It calculated the Herfindahl index and implemented mixed inflated beta models.

Findings

The study found out that the agglomeration of establishments is mainly associated with the city’s income per capita, education, GDP and with some differences regarding the origin of the company, Brazilian or foreign.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study are the availability of Brazilian cities' data and information about the fast-food companies, such as governance-related information and general infrastructure. The study was cross-sectional, which does not analyze the business installation speed.

Practical implications

This work provides data collection and analyzes which factors may contribute to the knowledge of the Brazilian fast-food market. It stands out that foreign companies do not seem to contemplate city violence. The proposed models can serve as an investors’ foundation to start, expand business and predict the number of establishments in a city.

Originality/value

The study highlights the relation between the cities’ institutional and populational characteristics and the aggregation of fast-food chains in Brazilian cities, using index commonly applied in industrial agglomeration.
Shifts in hatch dates do not provide pied flycatchers with a rapid ontogenetic route to adjust offspring time schedules to climate change
Authors: Ouwehand Janne , Burger Claudia , Both Christiaan
Published: July 2017

Environments change rapidly, and it is unclear whether organisms with complex life‐styles, such as avian migrants, are able to adjust sufficiently. For understanding human impacts on ecosystem functioning, it is crucial to understand how well, and by which mechanisms species are able to adapt.

To improve the understanding of migrants’ ability to adjust their annual timing to climate change, we investigated ontogenetic hatch date effects on adult spring migration timing and female egg‐laying dates. We experimentally delayed hatch dates of pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca by 1 week in three breeding seasons by delaying incubation onset. We investigated if natural and experimental (shifts in) hatch date affected timing of recruiting individuals up to at least 3 years after the manipulation.

Spring arrival dates were positively correlated with natural variation in hatch dates in three of the 5 years considered, but no such effects were found in egg laying. Experiments showed that delayed hatching resulted in delayed arrival and laying only in 1‐year‐old and not in older birds. These effects were mostly observed during one of the study years.

The discrepancy between experimental and natural hatch date effects indicates that a causal hatch date effect is not generally responsible for the correlation between a birds’ birth date and timing during adulthood. Instead, we propose that natural hatch date effects on spring arrival arise from genetic variation in migration schedules, while delays in hatching induced carry‐over effects on arrival and laying dates in offspring (e.g. the experimental effect in 2010). Strong support for year‐specific expression of hatch date and delay effects on time schedules imply that trait‐variation can be easily obscured. The latter may explain the lack of hatch date effects on female egg laying.

Our results imply that plasticity in breeding phenology does not provide pied flycatchers with a non‐genetic inheritance route to rapidly advance annual cycles. Instead, plasticity may rather masks (genetic) trait‐variation for selection to act on, and thereby slow down micro‐evolutionary adaptation to changing environments.

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Acoustic changes in the speech of children with cerebral palsy following an intensive program of dysarthria therapy*
Authors: Pennington Lindsay , Lombardo Eftychia , Steen Nick , Miller Nick
Published: July 2017

Background

The speech intelligibility of children with dysarthria and cerebral palsy has been observed to increase following therapy focusing on respiration and phonation.

Aims

To determine if speech intelligibility change following intervention is associated with change in acoustic measures of voice.

Methods & Procedures

We recorded 16 young people with cerebral palsy and dysarthria (nine girls; mean age 14 years, SD = 2; nine spastic type, two dyskinetic, four mixed; one Worster–Drought) producing speech in two conditions (single words, connected speech) twice before and twice after therapy focusing on respiration, phonation and rate. In both single‐word and connected speech we measured vocal intensity (root mean square—RMS), period‐to‐period variability (Shimmer APQ, Jitter RAP and PPQ) and harmonics‐to‐noise ratio (HNR). In connected speech we also measured mean fundamental frequency, utterance duration in seconds and speech and articulation rate (syllables/s with and without pauses respectively). All acoustic measures were made using Praat. Intelligibility was calculated in previous research.

Outcomes & Results

In single words statistically significant but very small reductions were observed in period‐to‐period variability following therapy: Shimmer APQ –0.15 (95% CI = –0.21 to –0.09); Jitter RAP –0.08 (95% CI = –0.14 to –0.01); Jitter PPQ –0.08 (95% CI = –0.15 to –0.01). No changes in period‐to‐period perturbation across phrases in connected speech were detected. However, changes in connected speech were observed in phrase length, rate and intensity. Following therapy, mean utterance duration increased by 1.11 s (95% CI = 0.37–1.86) when measured with pauses and by 1.13 s (95% CI = 0.40–1.85) when measured without pauses. Articulation rate increased by 0.07 syllables/s (95% CI = 0.02–0.13); speech rate increased by 0.06 syllables/s (95% CI = < 0.01–0.12); and intensity increased by 0.03 Pascals (95% CI = 0.02–0.04). There was a gradual reduction in mean fundamental frequency across all time points (–11.85 Hz, 95% CI = –19.84 to –3.86). Only increases in the intensity of single words (0.37 Pascals, 95% CI = 0.10–0.65) and reductions in fundamental frequency (–0.11 Hz, 95% CI = –0.21 to –0.02) in connected speech were associated with gains in intelligibility.

Conclusions & Implications

Mean reductions in impairment in vocal function following therapy observed were small and most are unlikely to be clinically significant. Changes in vocal control did not explain improved intelligibility.
Immunological properties and protective efficacy of a single mycobacterial antigen displayed on polyhydroxybutyrate beads
Authors: Rubio‐Reyes Patricia , Parlane Natalie A. , Buddle Bryce M. , Wedlock D. Neil , Rehm Bernd H. A.
Published: July 2017

In 2015, there were an estimated 10.4 million new tuberculosis (TB) cases and 1.4 million deaths worldwide. Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is the vaccine available against TB, but it is insufficient for global TB control. This study evaluated the immunogenicity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen Rv1626 in mice while assessing the effect of co‐delivering either Cpe30 (immunostimulatory peptide), CS.T3378–395 (promiscuous T helper epitope) or flagellin (TLR5 agonist) or a combination of all three immunostimulatory agents. Rv1626 and the respective immunostimulatory proteins/peptides were co‐displayed on polyhydroxybutyrate beads assembled inside an engineered endotoxin‐free mutant of Escherichia coli. Mice vaccinated with these beads produced immune responses biased towards Th1‐/Th17‐type responses, but inclusion of Cpe30, CS.T3378–395 and flagellin did not enhance immunogenicity of the Rv1626 protein. This was confirmed in a M. bovis challenge experiment in mice, where Rv1626 beads reduced bacterial cell counts in the lungs by 0.48 log10 compared with the adjuvant alone control group. Co‐delivery of immunostimulatory peptides did not further enhance protective immunity.
Green biofuels and bioproducts: bases for sustainability analysis
Authors: Ramos Juan L. , García‐Lorente Francisco , Valdivia Miguel , Duque Estrella
Published: July 2017

Currently the chemical industry is largely petroleum based and although the number of ongoing large‐scale biocatalytic processes are relatively low, a trend in growth is expected and the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) and other agencies aim to have 30% of the total chemical industry based on renewable sources by 2050 (Philp et al., 2013). At present a good number of bio‐based products (bioethanol, acids such as lactic, succinic, itaconic and others) are derived from corn syrup and other sugar sources (Geiser et al., 2016; Ramos et al., 2016a); however, because of the food v fuel controversy new trends have been directed towards the production of bioproducts/biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass—the most abundant and important renewable source for alternative petrol derivatives. We discuss here the bases for sustainable bioenergy production.
Mosquitoes can harbour yeasts of clinical significance and contribute to their environmental dissemination
Authors: Bozic Jovana , Capone Aida , Pediconi Dario , Mensah Priscilla , Cappelli Alessia , Valzano Matteo , Mancini Maria Vittoria , Scuppa Patrizia , Martin Elena , Epis Sara , Rossi Paolo , Favia Guido , Ricci Irene
Published: July 2017

There is still a lack of studies on fungal microbiota in mosquitoes, compared with the number available on bacterial microbiota. This study reports the identification of yeasts of clinical significance in laboratory mosquito species: Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Among the yeasts isolated, they focused on the opportunistic pathogen Candida parapsilosis, since there is a need to better understand breakthrough candidaemia with resistance to the usual antifungals, which requires careful consideration in the broad‐spectrum therapy, as documented in many clinical reports. C. parapsilosis occurs widely and has been isolated from diverse sources, including insects, which may contribute to its dissemination. In this study, it was isolated from the gut of An. gambiae and its presence in developmental stages and organs of different mosquito species was studied. Our results indicated that there was a stable association between C. parapsilosis and reared mosquitoes during the entire life cycle, and in adult male and female gut and gonads. A wide occurrence of C. parapsilosis was also documented in several populations of wild mosquitoes. Based on these findings, it can be said that mosquitoes might participate in the spreading of this opportunistic pathogen, not only as a carrier.
Mesas Ejecutivas in Peru: Lessons for Productive Development Policies
Authors: Ghezzi Piero
Published: July 2017

Middle‐income countries are likely to face an uncertain path to development. Their strategy may need to mutate from a focus on manufacturing to a multipronged one. Unleashing the potential of those sectors requires cooperation between different private and public actors that need to coordinate. Productive development policies (PDPs) are all about solving these coordination failures. When I became Minister of Production of Peru, I had the opportunity to lead a team that designed and implemented a tool, Mesas Ejecutivas (MEs), that could be part of the toolkit of PDPs. A ME is a working group that includes private and public actors around a sector or a factor of production. They aim at identifying and removing the constraints affecting the productivity of the sector or factor, understanding that much will be learned during execution. The target audience for this article is policymakers facing similar challenges. The main message should be that there are three main prerequisites for a successful ME: (1) a private sector capable and interested in problem solving; (2) a public sector willing to participate and able to deliver; and (3) some convener very high‐up in government capable of inducing cooperation among the different stakeholders, resolving disputes, enacting regulation and allocating budget.
The utility of empirically assigning ancestry groups in cross‐population genetic studies of addiction
Authors: Peterson Roseann E. , Edwards Alexis C. , Bacanu Silviu‐Alin , Dick Danielle M. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Webb Bradley T.
Published: July 2017

Background and Objectives

Given moderate heritability and significant heterogeneity among addiction phenotypes, successful genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) are expected to need very large samples. As sample sizes grow, so can genetic diversity leading to challenges in analyzing these data. Methods for empirically assigning individuals to genetically informed ancestry groups are needed.

Methods

We describe a strategy for empirically assigning ancestry groups in ethnically diverse GWAS data including extensions of principal component analysis (PCA) and population matching through minimum Mahalanobis distance. We apply these methods to data from Spit for Science (S4S): the University Student Survey, a study following college students longitudinally that includes genetic and environmental data on substance use and mental health (n = 7,603).

Results

The genetic‐based population assignments for S4S were 48.7% European, 22.5% African, 10.4% Americas, 9.2% East Asian, and 9.2% South Asian descent. Self‐reported census categories “More than one race” and “Unknown”as well as “Hawaiian/Pacific Islander” and “American‐Indian/Native Alaskan” were empirically assigned representing a +9% sample retention over conventional methods. Although there was high concordance between self‐reported race and empirical population‐match (+.924), there was reduction in variance for most ancestry PCs for genetic‐based population assignments.

Conclusions

We were able to create more genetically homogenous groups and reduce sample and marker loss through cross‐ancestry meta‐analysis, potentially increasing power to detect etiologically relevant variation. Our approach provides a framework for empirically assigning genetic ancestry groups which can be applied to other ethnically diverse genetic studies.

Scientific Significance

Given the important public health impact and demonstrable gains in statistical power from studying diverse populations, empirically sound practices for genetic studies are needed. (Am J Addict 2017;26:494–501)
Children born extremely preterm had different sleeping habits at 11 years of age and more childhood sleep problems than term‐born children
Authors: Stangenes Kristine Marie , Fevang Silje Kathrine , Grundt Jacob , Donkor Hilde Mjell , Markestad Trond , Hysing Mari , Elgen Irene Bircow , Bjorvatn Bjørn
Published: July 2017

Aim

This study explored whether extremely preterm (EPT) children had different sleep characteristics in childhood than children born at term and how neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) affected sleep in children born EPT.

Methods

A Norwegian national cohort of 231 children born EPT from 1999 to 2000 and separate study data on 556 children born at term in 2001 were compared. Parental questionnaires mapped the children's current sleep habits at 11 years of age, namely the prevalence of sleep problems throughout childhood until this age and five categories of sleep problems. In addition, the EPT children were clinically assessed at five years of age.

Results

The EPT children had different sleep habits than the controls, for example they went to bed earlier. EPT children had a higher prevalence of sleep problems than the controls throughout childhood (26% versus 14%, p < 0.001) and this was also higher for the 93 EPT children with no NDD (20%) than for the controls (14%) and increased with increasing NDD to 67% (p = 0.015) for the six children with severe NDD.

Conclusion

EPT children had different sleep habits to term‐born controls at 11 years of age, including those with no NDD. The prevalence of sleep problems increased with increasing NDD.
Comparison of the effects of topical application of UMF20 and UMF5 manuka honey with a generic multifloral honey on wound healing variables in an uncontaminated surgical equine distal limb wound model
Authors: Tsang AS , Dart AJ , Sole‐Guitart A , Dart CM , Perkins NR , Jeffcott LB
Published: July 2017

Objective

To compare the effect of application of manuka honey with unique manuka factor (UMF) 5 or 20 with a generic multifloral honey on equine wound healing variables.

Methods

Two full‐thickness skin wounds (2.5 × 2.5 cm) were created on the metatarsus of both hindlimbs of eight Standardbred horses. The wounds on each horse were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: UMF20 (UMF20) and UMF5 (UMF5) manuka honey; generic multifloral honey (GH); and a saline control. Bandages were changed daily for 12 days, after which treatment was stopped and the bandages were removed. Wound area was measured on day 1, then weekly until day 42. Overall wound healing rate (cm2/day) and time to complete healing were recorded.

Results

There was no difference in wound area for any of the treatments on any measurement day except for day 21, where the mean wound area for wounds treated with UMF20 was smaller than the mean wound area for the UMF5‐treated wounds (P = 0.031). There was no difference in mean (± SE) overall healing rate (cm2/day) among the treatment groups. There were differences in mean (± SE) days to complete healing. Wounds treated with UMF20 healed faster than wounds treated with GH (P = 0.02) and control wounds (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Treatment of wounds with UMF20 reduced overall wound healing time compared with wounds treated with GH and control wounds. However, using this model the difference in the overall time to complete healing was small.