bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shoplifting in mobile checkout settings: cybercrime in retail stores
Authors: Aloysius John A. , Arora Ankur , Venkatesh Viswanath
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Retailers are implementing technology-enabled mobile checkout processes in their stores to improve service quality, decrease labor costs and gain operational efficiency. These new checkout processes have increased customer convenience primarily by providing them autonomy in sales transactions in that store employee interventions play a reduced role. However, this autonomy has the unintended consequence of altering the checks and balances inherent in a traditional employee-assisted checkout process. Retailers, already grappling with shoplifting, with an estimated annual cost of billions of dollars, fear that the problem may be exacerbated by mobile checkout and concomitant customer autonomy. The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of mobile checkout processes in retail stores on cybercrime in the form of shoplifting enabled by a technology transformed the retail environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an online survey of a US sample recruited from a crowdsourced platform. The authors test a research model that aims to understand the factors that influence the intention to shoplift in three different mobile checkout settings − namely, smartphone checkout settings, store-provided mobile device checkout settings, and employee-assisted mobile checkout settings − and compare it with a traditional fixed location checkout setting.

Findings

The authors found that, in a smartphone checkout setting, intention to shoplift was driven by experiential beliefs and peer influence, and experiential beliefs and peer influence had a stronger effect for prospective shoplifters when compared to experienced shoplifters; in a store-provided mobile devices checkout setting, experiential beliefs had a negative effect on shoplifters’ intention to shoplift and the effect was weaker for prospective shoplifters when compared to experienced shoplifters. The results also indicated that in an employee-assisted mobile checkout setting, intention to shoplift was driven by experiential beliefs and peer influence, and experiential beliefs had a stronger effect for prospective shoplifters when compared to experienced shoplifters.

Originality/value

This study is the among the first, if not first, to examine shoplifters’ intention to shoplift in mobile checkout settings. We provide insights into how those who may not have considered shoplifting in less favorable criminogenic settings may change their behavior due to the autonomy provided by mobile checkout settings and also provide an understanding of the shoplifting intention for both prospective and experienced shoplifters in different mobile checkout settings.
Explaining variation of implementation outcomes of centralized waiting lists for unattached patients
Authors: Malham Sabina Abou , Smithman Mélanie-Ann , Touati Nassera , Brousselle Astrid , Loignon Christine , Dubois Carl-Ardy , Nour Kareen , Boivin Antoine , Breton Mylaine
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Centralized waiting lists (CWLs) for patient attachment to a primary care provider have been implemented across Canada, including Quebec. Little is known about the implementation of CWLs and the factors that influence implementation outcomes of such primary care innovations. The purpose of this paper is to explain variations in the outcomes of implementation by analyzing the characteristics of CWLs and contextual factors that influence their implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple qualitative case study was conducted. Four contrasting CWLs were purposefully selected: two relatively high-performing and two relatively low-performing cases with regard to process indicators. Data collected between 2015 and 2016 drew on three sources: 26 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, 22 documents and field notes. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to identify, through a cross-case comparison of ratings, constructs that distinguish high from low-performing cases.

Findings

Five constructs distinguished high from low-performing cases: three related to the inner setting: network and communications; leadership engagement; available resources; one from innovation characteristics: adaptability with regard to registration, evaluation of priority and attachment to a family physician; and, one associated with process domain: engaging. Other constructs exerted influence on implementation (e.g. outer setting, individual characteristics), but did not distinguish high and low-performing cases.

Originality/value

This is the first in-depth analysis of CWL implementation. Results suggest important factors that might be useful in efforts to continuously improve implementation performance of CWLs and similar innovations.
A GIS-based DANP-VIKOR approach to evaluate R&D performance of Turkish cities
Authors: Özkan Bariş , Özceylan Eren , Korkmaz I.brahim Halil , Çetinkaya Cihan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure the R&D performance of 81 cities in Turkey by using a scientific approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A four-step solution approach is developed for this problem. In the first step, a hierarchical structure of 14 indicators (including number of patents, publications, R&D expense, etc.) in three dimensions is constructed. In the second step, explicitly and implicitly spatial indicators such as university location and R&D manpower are mapped by using geographic information system (GIS). In the third step, a hybrid multi-criteria decision making model, namely, DANP that combines decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and analytic hierarchy process (ANP) techniques is applied to assign different level of importance to the indicators. In the last step, Višekriterijumska Optimizacijai kompromisno Rešenje (VIKOR) method is used to rank the performance of 81 cities. Obtained results are visualized using GIS to show the pros and cons of each city in terms of R&D performance.

Findings

Results of the paper show that Istanbul, Ankara and Konya are ordered as contenders of best R&D performances and on the contrary, Igdir, Sirnak and Tunceli are ordered as the worst R&D performances among 81 cities.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of the study can be the considered criteria. However, all the criteria are obtained from literature and experts; thus, the paper covers as much criteria as possible.

Practical implications

The proposed study may allow Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology of Turkey to formulate more effective strategies to improve cities’ R&D performance. In addition, any country can apply the same methodology for measuring the R&D performance of their cities by using their related data. As the worst R&D city performances belong to the eastern part of Turkey, it can be deducted that the socio-cultural structure of the eastern part of the country needs improvement.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study which applies a GIS-based MCDM approach for R&D performance measurement. Thus, the value of this paper belongs to both literature and real life.
Investment strategy analysis of emission-reduction technology under cost subsidy policy in the carbon trading market
Authors: Hou Qiang , Sun Jiayi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The authors consider a dynamic emission-reduction technology investment decision-making problem for an emission-dependent dyadic supply chain consists of a manufacturer and a retailer under subsidy policy for carbon emission reduction. The consumers are assumed to prefer to low-carbon products and formulate a supply chain optimal control problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt differential game to analyze investment strategies of cost subsidy coefficient with respect to vertical incentive of a manufacturer and a retailer. A comparison analysis under four different decision-making situations, including decentralized decision-making, centralized decision-making, maximizing social welfare, is obtained.

Findings

The results show that the economic benefit and environmental pressure have a win–win performance in centralized decision-making. In four different game models, equilibrium strategies, profits and social welfare show changing diversity and have a consistent development trend as time goes on.

Research limitations/implications

The authors estimate the demand function is a linear function in this paper. According to the consumers’ preference to low-carbon products, consumer’s awareness meets the law of diminishing marginal utility like advertising goodwill accumulation. The carbon-sensitive coefficient might be a quadratic expression, which will complicate the problem and be consistent with reality.

Practical implications

It captures that there is a necessity to strengthen cooperation and exchange of carbon emission technology among the enterprises by simulation of different decision-makings when government granted cost subsidy.

Social implications

The results provide significant guidelines for the supply chain to make decision-makings of emission-reduction technology investment and relevant government departments to determine emission subsidies costs.

Originality/value

An endogenous subsidies coefficient is produced by the social welfare function. Distinguished from previous study, it also considered the influences of carbon emission trade policy and consumer preference.
Gaming the future: a practitioner’s view
Authors: Aguilar-Millan Stephen John
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the links between the practice of gaming and the practice of futures.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to isolate the steps involved in game design and compare them with the steps involved in designing a futures project.

Findings

The findings are that there are significant commonalities between the two processes.

Research limitations/implications

The implications are that gaming should be more widely used in the practice of futures.

Originality/value

The value of the piece lies in alerting practitioners to the option of using gaming as a futures tool.
Design of conductive pattern on recycled paper
Authors: Ataeefard Maryam , Khamseh Sara
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the current study, the authors prepared conductive nano-structured thin films composed of copper on the surface of the printed paper using a magnetron sputtering system. Furthermore, the printability of conductive films for the sake of re-using printed paper and its additional applications were also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Paper-based electronic devices have been the matter of intense interest because of their easy accessibility, lightweight, low cost, biodegradable, recyclable and ecofriendliness. Furthermore, these devices are inexpensive compared to other substrates. Nowadays, flexible energy and electronic devices made of the paper substrate are receiving a significant interest because of the issue of sustainable energy production from the environment. One of the most reliable techniques for the deposition of thin films and creating conductive patterns on the paper is magnetron sputtering.

Findings

The printed and coated printed papers were evaluated with X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive (SEM-EDX), four-point probe conductivity and spectroscopic measurements.

Practical implications

The paper investigates the printability of conductive paper attributable to its second application.

Originality/value

The authors prepared conductive nanostructured copper-based thin films on the surface of the printed paper. They recovered and reused the paper as a root of raw material due to the environmental issue.
Sunflower management and life insurance: modeling the CEO’s utility function
Authors: Lin Jyh-Horng , Huang Fu-Wei , Chen Shi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework to answer the following question: What are the consequences of sunflower behavior as well as spread behavior for how asset-liability management is administrated in a life insurance company?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes into account the following: the chief executive officer (CEO) of a life insurance company confirms the board of directors’ belief – the preference of the like of higher return relative to the dislike of higher risk; the authors call such behavior sunflower management; the life insurance policyholder is entitled to a guaranteed interest rate and a participation percentage of the company’s investment surplus; and the authors examine the optimal insurer interest margin, i.e., the spread between the loan rate and the guaranteed rate.

Findings

Sunflower management translates into lower utility for the CEO and makes the CEO more prudent to risk-taking at an increased insurer interest margin for the provision of life insurance contracts. The effect of the guaranteed rate on the margin is ambiguous and depends on the level of guarantee itself. An increase in the participation level decreases the CEO’s loan risk-taking at an increased margin. It is shown that a trend toward higher return like of the board’s belief produces a corresponding trend toward the CEO’s decreasing risk-taking when the return like is revealed strongly. The results indicate that sunflower management as such is an important determinant in ensuring a safe insurance system.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to construct a contingent claim model to evaluate the expected value of the CEO’s utility function defined in terms of the equity returns and the equity risks of a life insurance company. The model explicitly considers CEO sunflower behavior, CEO spread behavior and the limited liability of shareholders.
Corporate social responsibility, customer loyalty and brand positioning
Authors: Akbari Morteza , Mehrali Maryam , SeyyedAmiri Nader , Rezaei Niloofar , Pourjam Afsaneh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the current era, businesses and customers are becoming increasingly concerned with social and environmental issues, and unlike the past, the main focus is not merely on economic growth. As new customers are getting more informed and responsible toward their surroundings, it is necessary for enterprises to act responsibly to attract responsible customers. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on brand positioning and customer loyalty in travel agencies in Tehran, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Through quota sampling, 86 agencies are selected and a number of 200 customers of those travel agencies are surveyed by means of purposive sampling.

Findings

The result reveals that CSR has a significant effect on loyalty of customers and brand positioning. In addition, the results indicate that all hypotheses have significant effects except for the C-C identification on customer loyalty.

Practical implications

Tourism managers should bear in mind that performing CSR activities is not merely a cost burden but a viable strategy for creating competitive advantage. They should adapt their CSR activities to the industry environment.

Originality/value

The study provides important evidence about CSR and their role in brand positioning and customer loyalty in tourism industry. In addition, the study contributes to the literature by developing the link between CSR and brand positioning.
Assessing cognitive communication skills in dementia: a scoping review
Authors: Dooley Suzanna , Walshe Margaret
Published: June 2019

Background

Cognitive communication difficulties are a characteristic feature of dementia. These deficits have negative effects on all aspects of daily life. Yet, there are few options for standardized assessment of cognitive communication skills in people with dementia.

Aims

To review published cognitive–communication assessments to determine what psychometrically sound assessments exist that are applicable to all people with dementia.

Methods & Procedures

A scoping review of the literature was conducted using an established scoping review model. Cognitive–communication assessments validated in English with people with dementia were sought. A comprehensive search of eight relevant electronic databases was undertaken. Two reviewers independently analysed and assessed the psychometric quality of instruments that met inclusion criteria.

Outcomes & Results

Four cognitive–communication assessments were included in the review. Although psychometrically sound, none was suitable for administration at all stages of dementia. Only one was validated for different dementia types. None included subtests for evaluation of conversation ability, and none involved the evaluation of communication partners’ communication.

Conclusions & Implications

There are limited options for standardized communication assessment for individuals with dementia and their communication partners. Directions for the development of new measures are provided to facilitate research and improve clinical practice.
Whole‐genome sequencing reveals Listeria monocytogenes diversity and allows identification of long‐term persistent strains in Brazil
Authors: Camargo Anderson C. , Moura Alexandra , Avillan Johannetsy , Herman Nicole , McFarland Adelle P. , Sreevatsan Srinand , Call Douglas R. , Woodward Joshua J. , Lecuit Marc , Nero Luís A.
Published: June 2019

Advances in whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) technologies have documented genetic diversity and epidemiology of the major foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Europe and North America, but data concerning South America are scarce. Here, we examined the population structure and genetic diversity of this major foodborne pathogen collected in Brazil. Based on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), isolates from lineages I (n = 22; 63%) and II (n = 13; 37%) were distributed into 10 different sublineages (SLs) and represented 31 new cgMLST types (CTs). The most prevalent SLs were SL9 (n = 9; 26%), SL3 (n = 6; 17%) and SL2 and SL218 (n = 5; 14%). Isolates belonging to CTs L2‐SL9‐ST9‐CT4420 and L1‐SL315‐ST520‐CT4429 were collected 3 and 9 years apart, respectively, revealing long‐term persistence of Lm in Brazil. Genetic elements associated with stress survival were present in 60% of isolates (57% SSI‐1 and 3% SSI‐2). Pathogenic islands were present in 100% (LIPI‐1), 43% (LIPI‐3) and 6% (LIPI‐4) of the isolates. Mutations leading to premature stop codons were detected in the prfA and inlA virulence genes. This study is an important contribution to understanding the genomic diversity and epidemiology of Lm in South America. In addition, the results highlight the importance of using WGS to reveal Lm long‐term persistence.
Comparative analyses of microbial community diversities of Tibetan kefir grains from three geographic regions
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Zhang Meimei , Xie Jie , Wang Hongwei , Zhao Xin , Chen Bingcan , Suo Huayi
Published: June 2019

Tibetan kefir grains are the traditional starter for fermented milk products in Tibet, China. To gain a deeper understanding of their bacterial and fungal community diversities, we compared kefir grains from three different regions, Nyingchi, Lhasa and Yangbajing, using high‐throughput sequencing. The results of sequence analysis grouped the reads into four bacterial and four fungal phyla, comprising 34 bacterial and 139 fungal genera, and 44 bacterial and 195 fungal species. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were two dominant bacterial phyla, and Lactobacillus and Acetobacter were the dominant bacterial genera. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were the dominant fungal phyla. There was significant difference in the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota among three regions (P < 0.05). A significant difference in genera was observed in the percentage of Saccharomyces, Trichosporon, Aspergillus and Candida between the samples from Nyingchi, Lhasa and Yangbajing (P < 0.05). Based on principal component analysis (PCA), the Tibetan kefir grain samples from Nyingchi could be distinctly differentiated from the other two regions in term of fungal community, but no obvious difference existed in the bacterial population of samples from the three regions.
Proteolysis of reconstituted goat whey fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus in co‐culture with commercial probiotic Lactobacillus strains
Authors: Santos Widson Michael , de Caldas Nobre Michelangela Suelleny , Cavalcanti Mônica Tejo , dos Santos Karina Maria Olbrich , Salles Hévila Oliveira , Alonso Buriti Flávia Carolina
Published: June 2019

Reconstituted goat whey was fermented with the starter Streptococcus thermophilus TA‐40 in co‐culture with four probiotic adjuncts (independent treatments): Lactobacillus casei BGP93 (T1), Lactobacillus paracasei BGP1 (T2), Lb. paracasei LPC37 (T3) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR32 (T4). Lactobacillus populations were higher than 7 log cfu/mL after fermentation and storage. Proteolysis increased significantly (P < 0.05) during fermentation in all trials. Relative amount of low‐molecular‐weight protein fractions (<6.5 kDa) increased in goat whey trials with T1, T3 and T4 during fermentation and storage. The goat whey powder was considered a potential substrate for starter and probiotic cultures, which raised the opportunities to upgrade this by‐product into a functional food.
Poor sleep quality predicts psychotic‐like symptoms: an experience sampling study in young adults with schizotypal traits
Authors: Simor P. , Báthori N. , Nagy T. , Polner B.
Published: June 2019

Objective

Psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) are unusual experiences such as perceptual abnormalities and delusional‐like thoughts that resemble the symptoms of psychosis at the sub‐clinical level. PLEs are associated with sleep complaints in healthy and clinical samples; however, evidence for day‐to‐day associations between poor sleep and subsequent PLEs under naturalistic conditions is scarce. We hypothesized that poor sleep quality would predict next days’ PLEs, and vice versa, daytime PLEs would be associated with worse subsequent sleep quality.

Method

Seventy‐three university students with moderate to high levels of positive schizotypy participated in an experience sampling study. Participants rated their sleep each morning, as well as PLEs and affective states during the day over 3 weeks.

Results

Multilevel regression models indicated that poor sleep quality predicted increased PLEs the following day. Poor sleep was linked to negative daytime mood that partially mediated the associations between sleep quality and next days’ PLEs. Furthermore, PLEs were enhanced in the evening as compared to daytime reports. The prediction of poor sleep quality by previous days’ PLEs was negligible.

Conclusions

The results are consistent with the position that sleep‐related interventions might reduce the risk of psychosis, especially in individuals that tend to experience psychotic‐like phenomena and negative affect.
Cortical thickening in remitters compared to non‐remitters with major depressive disorder following 8‐week antidepressant treatment
Authors: Saricicek Aydogan A. , Oztekin E. , Esen M. E. , Dusmez S. , Gelal F. , Besiroğlu L. , Zorlu N.
Published: June 2019

Objective

Little is known about the relationship between antidepressant treatment outcomes and underlying neurobiological mechanisms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate how cortical thickness and subcortical volumes differed between remitter and non‐remitter patients with MDD.

Methods

Fifty‐eight patients with MDD with a score of at least 17 on the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and free of medication for at least 2 months and 41 healthy controls underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. At the baseline, patients with MDD started on either selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or vortioxetine. After 8‐week antidepressant treatment, patients with MDD were scanned using the same MRI protocol. Structural images were analyzed using the FreeSurfer software package (version 6.0).

Results

Longitudinal analyses showed remitter patients with MDD had significantly greater right cerebral cortex thickening in six significant clusters, including superior temporal cortex, precuneus, rostral middle frontal cortex, pars opercularis (although the cluster extends into the insula), inferior parietal cortex, and supramarginal cortex than in non‐remitter patients with MDD.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that distinct antidepressant treatment‐related structural alterations in brain regions implicated in cognition, emotion regulation, and rumination might be associated with treatment outcome.
Brief Report: Low‐Barrier Buprenorphine Initiation Predicts Treatment Retention Among Latinx and Non‐Latinx Primary Care Patients
Authors: Lee Christina S. , Rosales Robert , Stein Michael D. , Nicholls Mariana , O’Connor Bridget M. , Loukas Ryan Vanessa , Davis Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

Patients are at risk of dropout while waiting for buprenorphine treatment. Study goals are to compare 3‐month retention in two different methods to buprenorphine initiation among persons with opioid use disorder.

Methods

We compared 3‐month treatment retention rates of low‐barrier buprenorphine initiation (i.e., rapid induction) (n =58) or a traditional method of buprenorphine initiation (
n = 45) for persons with opioid use disorder seen at an urban community health center.

Results

Logistic regression revealed that low‐barrier initiation had 11.11 greater odds of retention compared with traditional methods (p <0.001). Latinx patients benefited more than non‐Latinx patients (OR = 14.79,
p =.039).

Discussion and Conclusions

All patients were more likely to be retained using low‐barrier initiation. A significantly larger effect on retention among Latinx patients was observed.

Scientific Significance

Rapid buprenorphine initiation increases treatment retention which improves treatment outcomes for persons with opioid use disorder. Study findings support a less restrictive services model that is even more effective for Latinx patients. (Am J Addict 2019;28:409–412)
Family intervention improves outcomes for patients with delirium: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: McKenzie Jessica , Joy Anna
Published: June 2019

Objective

To determine if family caregiver involvement in interventions with patients with delirium improves patient outcomes.

Methods

A search of three databases (Medline‐Ovid, CINAHL and Embase) was conducted. Eligibility criteria included adult patients and involvement of family caregivers in any delirium intervention. Data were extracted from each study (determined by PEDro scale) using a customised form. A meta‐analysis was undertaken which compared the length of hospital stay and duration of delirium. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42017077650.

Results

Five studies involving 505 participants published over a 5‐year period were suitable for inclusion. Low‐level evidence demonstrated family caregiver involvement may reduce caregiver's anxiety and hospital staff viewed administration of education to family caregivers as efficient. Meta‐analysis suggested family interventions reduce length of hospital stay for patients with delirium. It remains unclear if it affects the duration of delirium.

Conclusion

Family caregivers providing interventions to patients with delirium can improve patient outcomes.
Ibrutinib‐related atrial fibrillation: A single center Australian experience
Authors: Ezad Saad , Khan Arshad A. , Cheema Hooria , Ashraf Asma , Ngo Doan T. M. , Sverdlov Aaron L. , Collins Nicholas J.
Published: June 2019

Background

Ibrutinib increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and is associated with bleeding tendencies. Reported rates of arrhythmia are variable in different studies. The aim of the current analysis was to evaluate the incidence of AF in a single‐center cohort of patients.

Methods

This analysis was conducted at Hunter New England Local Health District, Australia between April 1, 2015 and June 30, 2017. We included all consecutive patients commenced on ibrutinib for hematological malignancies. Patients with a history of paroxysmal AF were excluded. The primary end point was incidence of AF. Time to diagnosis and management were secondary outcomes of interest.

Results

A total of 24 patients (age 73 ± 9 years, males n = 16 [67%]) were commenced on ibrutinib treatment during the study period with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 21, 88%) as the main indication. During a median follow‐up of 12 months, four (17%) patients were diagnosed with AF with increasing age, duration of ibrutinib treatment as associations. The median time to AF diagnosis was 9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 7‐18) months. All patients were managed with a rate control strategy with beta blockers as the preferred agents. Three (75%) patients were commenced on anticoagulation for stroke prevention. During a follow‐up of 18 (IQR: 17‐23) months following AF onset, one patient required hospitalization for AF. There were no bleeding complications reported.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this series noted a higher incidence of AF than previously reported. Oncologists and cardiologists need to be aware of the increased risk of AF in patients receiving ibrutinib.
Advance care planning in rural New South Wales from the perspective of general practice registrars and recently fellowed general practitioners
Authors: Littlewood Jean , Hinchcliff Reece , Lo Winston , Rhee Joel
Published: June 2019

Objective

This study examined advance care planning as delivered by general practice registrars and recently fellowed GPs in New South Wales rural settings. The facilitators and barriers to advance care planning uptake in these areas were investigated, as well as the state of general practice training on advance care planning.

Design

Qualitative descriptive methodology, involving semi‐structured face‐to‐face and telephone interviews.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

General practice registrars and recently fellowedGPs in New South Wales rural settings. Definition of rural using the Australian Standard Geographical Classification ‐ Remoteness Area. Thirteen participants were included in the study.

Main outcome measures

Thematic analysis of interview transcripts elucidated key issues emerging from participants' accounts.

Results

Key barriers included doctor‐dependent uptake, demands on doctor's time and the limited relevant resources available. Facilitators recognised were patient control in end‐of‐life care and long‐standing relationships betweenGPs and their patients. Uptake among patients was low, and minimal training on advance care planning reported.

Conclusion

The lack of training opportunities in advance care planning during vocational training, especially when combined with the essential role played by ruralGPs in initiating advance care planning and providing end‐of‐life care, appears to be a major problem that might contribute to poor uptake among patients in rural areas. This study demonstrated, however, the significant benefits that advance care planning could bring in patients living in rural communities if delivered effectively. Given that ruralGPs face a number of barriers to providing routine health care, these results highlight an important need to provideGPs and rural communities with support, education, incentive, better administrative tools, options and greater awareness of advance care planning.
Increasing the social participation of older rural residents: Opportunities offered by “OPTEACH”
Authors: Hughes Clarissa , Bernoth Maree , Winkler Denise
Published: June 2019

Problem

The issues addressed in this article are two‐fold. Firstly, education about ageing is predominantly textbook‐based. Secondly, many rural older people face social isolation which impacts their health. In addressing the first issue, we discovered that our project, Older Persons Teaching and Empowering Aged Care Students (OPTEACH), has the potential to have a positive impact on the second issue.

Design

We run university education sessions involving older people. Since such sessions present unique challenges, we obtained a grant to develop resources to assist educators and support rural older people to become “OPTEACHers.”

Setting

OPTEACH was undertaken in several rural communities in New South Wales and included staff and residents at residential aged care facilities and community‐dwelling rural older people.

Key measures for improvement

Our previous work had highlighted a need for educator resources that would facilitate “ageing” being taught in a way that both involved and respected older people. Our ethos centres on the “co‐creation” of knowledge, and having older peoples' unique contributions recognised and celebrated.

Strategies for change

Resources to assist with planning and being involved in OPTEACH education sessions are available at www.opteach.com.au. They will support a growing community of “OPTEACHers,” with beneficial flow‐on effects for rural older people.

Effects of change

We seek to provide practical support to both educators and older people to provide “real life” education on the experience of ageing.

Next steps

Further evaluation is needed, yet we anticipate a positive impact on self‐esteem, community “connectedness” and quality of life for older rural “OPTEACHers” as the approach gains momentum.
From smartphone to bed‐side: exploring the use of social media to disseminate recommendations from the National Tracheostomy Safety Project to front‐line clinical staff
Authors: Ng F. K. , Wallace S. , Coe B. , Owen A. , Lynch J. , Bonvento B. , Firn M. , McGrath B. A.
Published: June 2019

Traditional methods used to disseminate educational resources to front‐line healthcare staff have several limitations. Social media may increase the visibility of these resources among targeted groups and communities. Our project aimed to disseminate key clinical messages from the National Tracheostomy Safety Project to those caring for patients with tracheostomies or laryngectomies. We commissioned an external media company to design educational material and devise a marketing strategy. We developed videos to communicate recommendations from the safety project and used Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn to deliver these to our target users. We recorded 629,270 impressions over a paid 12‐week campaign. Our YouTube channel registered more than a five‐fold increase in views and watch time during the campaign as compared with the previous year. Around two‐thirds of views across all platforms were from peer‐to‐peer sharing. We spent £4140 on social media advertising, with each view and click costing £0.02 and £0.67, respectively. This intelligence‐led approach using social media is an effective and efficient method to disseminate knowledge on the principles of safe tracheostomy care to front‐line clinical staff. Similar strategies may be effective for other patient safety topics, especially when targeting groups that do not use medical journals or other traditional means of dissemination.
Early administration of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors after induction of diabetes in a rat model may prevent erectile dysfunction
Authors: Ismail E. A. , Younis S. E. , Ismail I. Y. , El‐Wazir Y. M. , El‐Sakka A. I.
Published: June 2019

Background

The possible role of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in prevention of negative effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on erectile function is not well settled.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of early administration of vardenafil on erectile function, cavernosal structure, and genes expression in a rat model of DM.

Materials and methods

This experimental study was carried out at Suez Canal University's research laboratory. This study was conducted on a total of 60 adult male Albino Wistar rats, aged 60–80 days and weighing an average of 200 g. Rats were equally divided into six groups of 10 rats each: Group I (sham); Group II (DM with no treatment); Groups III, IV, V, and VI received vardenafil started at day 1, week 4, week 8, and week 12 after induction of DM, respectively. Functional study assessment of all groups was performed before euthanization, and then tissues were harvested for histopathological, ultrastructural, and molecular examinations.

Results

There was a significant difference of intracavernosal pressure between early (94 ± 2.18) and late (40.5 ± 1.94) treatment groups (p = 0.011). Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of DM with no treatment and late treatment groups showed distorted cavernous architecture and extensive fibrosis. There was significant difference of smooth muscle to collagen ratio between early and late treatment groups (p = 0.035). There was significant upregulation of nNOS(p = 0.021) and iNOS (p = 0.047) in early vs. late treatment group. The difference was insignificant in eNOS (p = 0.386) or TGF‐β1(p = 0.149).

Discussion and conclusion

Early treated rats with vardenafil had preserved erection and normal cavernosal structure, ultrastructure and gene expression of iNOS, nNOS, eNOS, and TGF‐β1. Quantification of gene expression would improve our knowledge regarding cytokines expression and molecular background of DM‐associated ED. Clinical application of this result may encourage early administration of PDE5I to prevent deleterious effects of DM on erectile function in newly diagnosed DM patients with probable uncontrolled blood glucose.
From Urban Resilience to Abolitionist Climate Justice in Washington, DC
Authors: Ranganathan Malini , Bratman Eve
Published: June 2019

What would abolitionism mean for climate justice? “Resilience” is proposed by experts as a solution to climate change vulnerability. But this prescription tends to focus on adaptation to future external threats, subtly validating embedded processes of racial capitalism that have historically dehumanised and endangered residents and their environments in the first place. This article focuses on majority Black areas said to be vulnerable to extreme weather events and targeted for expert‐driven resilience enhancements in America's capital city, Washington, DC. Drawing on key insights from Black radical, feminist, and antiracist humanist thought, we reimagine resilience through an abolitionist framework. Using archival analysis, oral histories, a neighbourhood‐level survey, and interviews conducted between 2015 and 2018, we argue that abolitionist climate justice entails a centring of DC's historical environmental and housing‐related racisms, the intersectional drivers of precarity and trauma experienced by residents beyond those narrowly associated with “climate”; and an ethics of care and healing practiced by those deemed most at risk to climate change.
Review of research on mobile‐assisted language learning in familiar, authentic environments
Authors: Shadiev Rustam , Liu Taoying , Hwang Wu‐Yuin
Published: June 2019

Familiarity with learning contexts is important in the field of mobile‐assisted language learning (MALL). Several review studies on MALL have been published to date. However, scholars have not covered certain aspects of familiar contexts in their reviews, such as which learning/instructional methodologies support learning in familiar contexts or what the affordances of familiar contexts are for language learning. To address this gap, the authors in this study reviewed research articles related to MALL in familiar, authentic environments published in the past 10 years. The reviewed articles were from journals published in the Social Science Citation Index between 2009 and 2018. The main aim of this study was to review the published articles to understand (1) pedagogical approaches, (2) data collection, (3) locations, (4) affordances of authentic environments and (5) issues in MALL research. The results revealed that the most frequent items in reviewed articles were task‐based learning and communicative language teaching (pedagogical approaches); questionnaires, pretest and posttests and interviews (data collection); the local community and campus (locations); daily encounters, language learning and cognitive load (affordances of authentic environments); and small sample sizes and short‐term interventions (issues in MALL research). Based on the results, the authors in this study made several suggestions and provided implications for educators and researchers in the field about MALL in familiar, authentic environments.
Course‐level modeling of preservice teacher learning of technology integration
Authors: Jung Jiyoon , Ottenbreit‐Leftwich Anne
Published: June 2019

We introduce an analytic approach to examine preservice teachers' technology integration learning as a process mapped against their technology‐related course experience in a technology integration course. The approach assumes that (1) the preservice teachers have common course learning experience; (2) their data are collected pre‐ and post‐course and paired; (3) the sample size is large enough to generate a structural covariance model; (4) the measurement is contextualized to the course characteristics around the types of technology tasks/tools used in the course and whether or not they were explicitly taught. The approach was applied to 368 preservice teachers' paired data to illustrate how the approach addresses the methodological issue of construct validity in TPACK measures, highlights the importance of technology integration course experience, and provides useful insights into a particular technology integration learning to its stakeholders.
Buffalo's West Side Story: Migration, Gentrification, and Neighborhood Change
Authors: Adelman Robert M. , Balta Ozgen Aysegul , Rabii Watoii
Published: June 2019

Using a multi–methods approach, we examine socioeconomic and demographic change in Buffalo, New York's, West Side neighborhood. We do this by performing a systematic case study of the neighborhood analyzing census tract data, crime data, key informant interview data from community leaders and organizational representatives, and content analysis data from local newspaper articles. Results suggest that although the neighborhood has shifted dramatically over the last forty–five years, the changes have been uneven across the West Side. Two divergent areas have emerged: one neighborhood fueled by white gentrifiers and another driven by international migrants.
Farm‐level determinants of product conversion: Organic milk production
Authors: Skolrud Tristan
Published: June 2019

We investigate the role of technology in the decision of dairy farmers to convert to organic production methods. We measure the characteristics of the production technology using data from the USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey and a recently developed functional form that allows for a global approximation to the unknown distance function without compromising approximation at the data boundaries. Conventional dairies with lower technical efficiency, higher returns to scale, and the ability to easily substitute away from restricted inputs are more likely to convert to organic production. Findings suggest further consolidation in the conventional industry as low‐performing farms exits for the organic industry.
Meta‐analysis of human connection to nature and proenvironmental behavior
Authors: Whitburn Julie , Linklater Wayne , Abrahamse Wokje
Published: June 2019

Understanding what drives environmentally protective or destructive behavior is important to the design and implementation of effective public policies to encourage people's engagement in proenvironmental behavior (PEB). Research shows that a connection to nature is associated with greater engagement in PEB. However, the variety of instruments and methods used in these studies poses a major barrier to integrating research findings. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the relationship between connection to nature and PEB. We identified studies through a systematic review of the literature and used Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software to analyze the results from 37 samples (n = 13,237) and to test for moderators. A random‐effects model demonstrated a positive and significant association between connection to nature and PEB (r = 0.42, 95% CI 0.36, 0.47, p < 0.001). People who are more connected to nature reported greater engagement in PEB. Standard tests indicated little effect of publication bias in the sample. There was significant heterogeneity among the samples. Univariate categorical analyses showed that the scales used to measure connection to nature and PEB were significant moderators and explained the majority of the between‐study variance. The geographic location of a study, age of participants, and the percentage of females in a study were not significant moderators. We found that a deeper connection to nature may partially explain why some people behave more proenvironmentally than others and that the relationship is ubiquitous. Facilitating a stronger connection to nature may result in greater engagement in PEB and conservation, although more longitudinal studies with randomized experiments are required to demonstrate causation.
MALAT1 accelerates the development and progression of renal cell carcinoma by decreasing the expression of miR‐203 and promoting the expression of BIRC5
Authors: Zhang Haimin , Li Wei , Gu Wenyu , Yan Yang , Yao Xudong , Zheng Junhua
Published: June 2019

Objective

We aimed to investigate the roles of the lncRNA MALAT1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression.

Methods

qRT‐PCR was used for the assessment of BIRC5, miRNA‐203 and MALAT1 expression. Furthermore, the targeted relationships between miR‐203 and BIRC5, as well as MALAT1 and miR‐203, were predicted by the miRanda/starBase database and verified by dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. The effects of MALAT1, miRNA‐203 and BIRC5 on cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, cell invasion and cell migration were studied by using CCK‐8, flow cytometry, transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. In addition, the effects of MALAT1 on RCC tumorigenesis were evaluated in vivo by nude mouse tumorigenesis.

Results

The expression levels of BIRC5 and MALAT1 were higher in RCC tissues and cell lines than in adjacent normal tissues and a normal renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial cell line. In contrast, the expression of miRNA‐203 in RCC tissues and cell lines was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues and a normal renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial cell line. BIRC5 and MALAT1 promoted cell proliferation yet decreased the percentage of RCC cells at G0/G1 phase.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that MALAT1 functions as a miR‐203 decoy to increase BIRC5 expression in RCC.