bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality and Associated Morbidities Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Medicare Statin Users
Authors: Khokhar Bilal , Simoni-Wastila Linda , Slejko Julia F. , Perfetto Eleanor , Zhan Min , Smith Gordon S.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To assess the relationship between posttraumatic brain injury statin use and (1) mortality and (2) the incidence of associated morbidities, including stroke, depression, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias following injury.

Setting and Participants:

Nested cohort of all Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older who survived a traumatic brain injury (TBI) hospitalization during 2006 through 2010. The final sample comprised 100 515 beneficiaries.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study of older Medicare beneficiaries. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained using discrete time analysis and generalized estimating equations.

Measures:

The exposure of interest included monthly atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin use. Outcomes of interest included mortality, stroke, depression, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Results:

Statin use of any kind was associated with decreased mortality following TBI hospitalization discharge. Any statin use was also associated with a decrease in any stroke (RR, 0.86; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.81-0.91), depression (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79-0.90), and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.73-0.81).

Conclusion:

These findings provide valuable information for clinicians treating older adults with TBI as clinicians can consider, when appropriate, atorvastatin and simvastatin to older adults with TBI in order to decrease mortality and associated morbidities.
A Latent Content Analysis of Barriers and Supports to Healthcare: Perspectives From Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans With Military-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Carlozzi Noelle E. , Lange Rael T. , French Louis M. , Sander Angelle M. , Freedman Jenna , Brickell Tracey A.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To identify barriers and supports that caregivers of individuals with military-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) encounter when navigating the military healthcare system; this information will be used as the foundation of a new patient-reported outcome measure.

Setting:

Community.

Participants:

Forty-five caregivers of service members and veterans (SMV) who sustained a medically documented mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI.

Design:

Latent content analysis.

Main Measures:

Nine focus group discussions of barriers and supports to navigating the military healthcare system and community resources.

Results:

Latent content analysis indicated that caregivers discussed barriers (66%) and supports (34%) to obtaining care within the military healthcare system and the community. Caregivers most frequently discussed SMVs' interactions with healthcare, their own interactions with healthcare, family care, and community organizations.

Conclusions:

Caregivers confront numerous challenges while pursuing healthcare services. Although much of the discussion focused on barriers and perceived unmet needs within the military healthcare system, caregivers also recognized supports within the military healthcare system and general community. Increased attention to accessibility and quality of services, as well as reducing financial burden, can lead to improved health-related quality of life for caregivers and their SMVs.
Fatigue Is Associated With Global and Regional Thalamic Morphometry in Veterans With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Clark Alexandra L. , Sorg Scott F. , Holiday Kelsey , Bigler Erin D. , Bangen Katherine J. , Evangelista Nicole D. , Bondi Mark W. , Schiehser Dawn M. , Delano-Wood Lisa
Published: January 2018

Objective:

Fatigue is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon that commonly occurs following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The thalamus—a structure vulnerable to both primary and secondary injuries in TBI—is thought to play a pivotal role in the manifestation of fatigue. We explored how neuroimaging markers of local and global thalamic morphometry relate to the subjective experience of fatigue post-TBI.

Methods:

Sixty-three Veterans with a history of mild TBI underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and completed questionnaires related to fatigue and psychiatric symptoms. FMRIB's Software (FSL) was utilized to obtain whole brain and thalamic volume estimates, as well as to perform regional thalamic morphometry analyses.

Results:

Independent of age, sex, intracranial volume, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depressive symptoms, greater levels of self-reported fatigue were significantly associated with decreased right (P = .026) and left (P = .046) thalamic volumes. Regional morphometry analyses revealed that fatigue was significantly associated with reductions in the anterior and dorsomedial aspects of the right thalamic body (P < .05). Similar trends were observed for the left thalamic body (P < .10).

Conclusions:

Both global and regional thalamic morphometric changes are associated with the subjective experience of fatigue in Veterans with a history of mild TBI. These findings support a theory in which disruption of thalamocorticostriatal circuitry may result in the manifestation of fatigue in individuals with a history of neurotrauma.
Diffusion Imaging Findings in US Service Members With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Bolzenius Jacob D. , Velez Carmen S. , Lewis Jeffrey D. , Bigler Erin D. , Wade Benjamin S. C. , Cooper Douglas B. , Kennedy Jan E. , Reid Matthew W. , Ritter John L. , York Gerald E. , Tate David F.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

Use diffusion tensor imaging to investigate white matter microstructure attributable to mild TBI (mTBI) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Participants:

Twenty-seven individuals with mTBI only, 16 with PTSD only, 42 with mTBI + PTSD, and 43 service members who sustained orthopedic injury.

Design:

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Main Measures:

Clinical diffusion tensor imaging sequence to assess fractional anisotropy, mean, axial, and radial diffusivity within selected regions of interest.

Results:

Corrected analyses revealed a pattern of lower white matter integrity in the PTSD group for several scalar metrics. Regions affected included primarily right hemisphere areas of the internal capsule. These differences associated with the PTSD only cohort were observed in relation to all 3 comparison groups, while the mTBI + PTSD group did not exhibit any notable pattern of white matter abnormalities.

Conclusion:

Results suggest that lower resolution scan sequences are sensitive to post–acute abnormalities associated with PTSD, particularly in the right hemisphere. In addition, these findings suggest that ongoing PTSD symptoms are associated with differences in white matter diffusion that are more readily detected in a clinical scan sequence than mTBI abnormalities. Future studies are needed to prospectively assess service members prior to onset of injury to verify this pattern of results.
Predicting the Trajectory of Participation After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Erler Kimberly S. , Whiteneck Gale G. , Juengst Shannon B. , Locascio Joseph J. , Bogner Jennifer A. , Kaminski Jamie , Giacino Joseph T.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To identify factors that predict trajectories of participation over the first 5 years after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Setting:

TBI Model System Programs.

Participants:

Community-dwelling individuals with TBI, 16 years of age or older (n = 1947).

Design:

Secondary analysis of a prospective, nonrandomly sampled, longitudinal data registry.

Main Measures:

Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools—Objective (PART-O).

Results:

Age at injury and FIM Motor score predicted trajectory of participation over the first 5 years after moderate to severe TBI. Older age predicted generally worse participation overall as well as progressively worsening participation over time. Higher FIM Motor raised the predicted participation values, although it reduced the rate of improvement in participation scores over time. FIM Cognitive scores, race, depression, years of education, and living setting did not predict trajectory but did significantly influence participation consistently at all time points.

Conclusion:

The trajectories of participation over the first 5 years after TBI can be predicted by age at injury and FIM Motor scores. These findings may enhance the ability of rehabilitation professionals to identify individuals at risk for poor participation after TBI and develop targeted interventions for optimizing involvement in life activities.
Socioeconomic Status and Cardiovascular Responses to Standardized Stressors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Boylan Jennifer Morozink , Cundiff Jenny M. , Matthews Karen A.
Published: January 2018

Objective

Disparities in cardiovascular health by socioeconomic status (SES) are a pressing public health concern. Hypothesized mechanisms linking low SES to poor health are large cardiovascular responses to and delayed recovery from psychological stress. The current study presents a meta-analysis of the literature on the association of SES with blood pressure and heart rate reactivity to and recovery from acute stress tasks.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched, and 26 unique studies with relevant data were identified (k = 25 reactivity [n = 14,617], k = 6 recovery [n = 1,324]).

Results

Using random-effects models, no significant association between SES and cardiovascular reactivity to stress emerged (r = .008, 95% confidence interval = −.02 to .04), although higher SES was associated with better recovery from stress (r = −.14, 95% confidence interval −.23 to −.05). Stressor type moderated the reactivity effect, wherein higher SES was associated with greater reactivity to cognitive stressors (r = .036, p = .024), not with reactivity to interpersonal stressors (r = −.02, p = .62), but was associated with lower reactivity to tasks with combinations of cognitive, interpersonal, and physical challenges (r = −.12, p = .029). Accounting for publication bias revealed a significant association between SES and reactivity in the opposite direction of hypotheses.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular recovery from acute stress, but not reactivity to stress, may be a key pathway between low SES and risk for cardiovascular diseases. Heterogeneity in effect size and direction, challenges related to working across temporal dynamics, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Facial Fractures
Authors: Ghosh Rajarshi , Gopalkrishnan Kulandaswamy
Published: January 2018

Aims and Objectives:

The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the incidence of facial fractures along with age, gender predilection, etiology, commonest site, associated dental injuries, and any complications of patients operated in Craniofacial Unit of SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of OMFS, SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad from January 2003 to December 2013. Data were recorded for the cause of injury, age and gender distribution, frequency and type of injury, localization and frequency of soft tissue injuries, dentoalveolar trauma, facial bone fractures, complications, concomitant injuries, and different treatment protocols.

All the data were analyzed using statistical analysis that is chi-squared test.

Results:

A total of 1146 patients reported at our unit with facial fractures during these 10 years. Males accounted for a higher frequency of facial fractures (88.8%). Mandible was the commonest bone to be fractured among all the facial bones (71.2%). Maxillary central incisors were the most common teeth to be injured (33.8%) and avulsion was the most common type of injury (44.6%). Commonest postoperative complication was plate infection (11%) leading to plate removal. Other injuries associated with facial fractures were rib fractures, head injuries, upper and lower limb fractures, etc., among these rib fractures were seen most frequently (21.6%).

Conclusion:

This study was performed to compare the different etiologic factors leading to diverse facial fracture patterns. By statistical analysis of this record the authors come to know about the relationship of facial fractures with gender, age, associated comorbidities, etc.
Endoscopic Anatomic Study Via Grinding Partial Petrous Ridge to the Middle Fossa in Retromastoid Keyhole Approach
Authors: Tang Can , Pang Lujun , Zhang Hengzhu , Yan Zhengcun , Wang Xiaodong , Dong Lun , She Lei , Wang Xingdong , Wei Min
Published: January 2018

Objective:

This study aimed to observe the range of exposure, indications, and feasibility of the retromastoid keyhole approach via grinding partial petrous ridge to the middle fossa.

Methods:

Simulated endoscopic surgeries via grinding suprameatal tubercle and petrous ridge to expose the middle fossa in retromastoid keyhole approach were performed on 8 adult cadaver heads (16 sides) fixed by formalin. The maximum exposure range in endoscope was observed. The boundaries of Parkinson triangle and the anatomic structures contained by Meckel cave and cavernous sinus (CS) lateral wall were revealed. The distances from midpoint of sigmoid sinus posterior border to every important anatomic structures in the middle fossa and the length of all sides of Parkinson triangle were measured.

Results:

By using endoscope, the exposure of the cerebellopontine angle, ventrolateral brainstem, incisure of tentorium, petroclival region, and CS lateral wall were satisfactory. Many important anatomic structures in middle fossa were exposed well. The distances from midpoint of posterior border of sigmoid sinus to suprameatal tubercle, trigeminal semilunar ganglion, posterior curve segment of internal carotid artery were 34.42 ± 2.14, 54.52 ± 2.87, and 65.15 ± 3.13 mm. The lengths of all sides of Parkinson triangle were 18.97 ± 2.93, 16.23 ± 2.02, and 8.04 ± 2.34 mm.

Conclusion:

The retromastoid keyhole approach via grinding partial petrous ridge to the middle fossa by using endoscope can increase the exposure of middle fossa effectively, which is proper for most lesions in posterior cranial fossa while some parts extend to middle fossa.
Status Quo in Pediatric and Neonatal Simulation in Four Central European Regions: The DACHS Survey
Authors: Wagner Michael , Heimberg Ellen , Mileder Lukas P. , Staffler Alex , Paulun Annika , Löllgen Ruth M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Simulation has acquired wide acceptance as an important component of education in health care and as a key tool to increase patient safety. This study aimed at identifying to what extent and how pediatric and neonatal simulation-based training (SBT) was being carried out in four Central European regions.

Methods

We surveyed all pediatric and neonatal health care institutions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol on their current state of SBT using an online questionnaire.

Results

We dispatched 440 questionnaires with a 45.9% response rate. Sixty-one percent (61.4%) of institutions performed SBT (algorithm training, 87.4%; skill training, 62.2%; high-fidelity SBT, 56.8%). Training was conducted interprofessionally at 88.9% of surveyed institutions. Physicians and nurses most often received SBT once per year. Lack of financial (62.2%) and personnel (54.1%) resources were the most frequent impediments to establish SBT.

Conclusions

Although delivered heterogeneously, widespread use of pediatric simulation and a considerable number of already existing SBT programs are the key findings of this survey. These data are encouraging enough to promote more effective networking in simulation-based research, education, training, and quality improvement, as we aim to ultimately increase patient safety for neonates, infants, and children.
Preserved functional connectivity in the default mode and salience networks is associated with youthful memory in superaging
Authors: Zhang Jiahe , Andreano Joseph , Dickerson Bradford C. , Touroutoglou Alexandra , Barrett Lisa Feldman
Published: January 2018

“Superagers” are older adults who, despite their advanced age, maintain youthful memory. Previous morphometry studies revealed multiple default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN) regions whose cortical thickness is preserved in superagers and correlates with memory performance. In this study, we examined the intrinsic functional connectivity within DMN and SN in 41 young (24.5 ± 3.6 years old) and 40 elderly adults (66.9 ± 5.5 years old). As in prior studies, superaging was defined as youthful performance on a memory recall task, the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Participants underwent a resting state fMRI scan and performed a separate visual-verbal recognition memory task. As predicted, within both DMN and SN, superagers had stronger connectivity compared to typical older adults and similar connectivity compared to young adults. Superagers also performed similarly to young adults and better than typical older adults on the recognition task, demonstrating youthful episodic memory that generalized across memory tasks. Stronger connectivity within each network independently predicted better performance on both the CVLT and recognition task in older adults. Variation in intrinsic connectivity explained unique variance in memory performance, above and beyond preserved neuroanatomy. A post-hoc analysis revealed that DMN and SN nodes were more strongly inversely correlated in superagers than in typical older adults but were similarly correlated in superagers and young adults. Stronger between-network inverse correlations also predicted better memory performance in the entire sample of older adults. These results extend our understanding of the neural basis of superaging as a model of successful aging.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Memory capacity generally declines with age, but a unique group of older adults – ‘superagers’ – have memory capacities rivaling those of younger adults, as well as preserved neuroanatomy in an ensemble of regions contained in two core intrinsic brain networks – the default mode and salience networks. In this study, we assessed the strength of intrinsic connectivity within these networks in superagers and typical older adults compared to young adults. We also expanded the behavioral assessment of memory. As predicted, superagers have intrinsic connectivity within the default mode and salience networks that is stronger than typical older adults and similar to that of young adults. Within older adults, preserved intrinsic connectivity within each network was uniquely associated with better memory performance.
Genome-wide identification of CDC34 that stabilizes EGFR and promotes lung carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhao Xin-Chun , Wang Gui-Zhen , Zhou Yong-Chun , Ma Liang , Liu Jie , Zhang Chen , Zhang Da-Lin , Gao San-Hui , Qu Li-Wei , Zhang Bin , Wang Chang-Li , Huang Yun-Chao , Chen Liang , Zhou Guang-Biao
Published: January 2018

To systematically identify ubiquitin pathway genes that are critical to lung carcinogenesis, we used a genome-wide silencing method in this study to knockdown 696 genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We identified 31 candidates that were required for cell proliferation in two NSCLC lines, among which the E2 ubiquitin conjugase CDC34 represented the most significant one. CDC34 was elevated in tumor tissues in 67 of 102 (65.7%) NSCLCs, and smokers had higher CDC34 than nonsmokers. The expression of CDC34 was inversely associated with overall survival of the patients. Forced expression of CDC34 promoted, whereas knockdown of CDC34 inhibited lung cancerin vitroandin vivo. CDC34 bound EGFR and competed with E3 ligase c-Cbl to inhibit the polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation of EGFR. In EGFR-L858R and EGFR-T790M/Del(exon 19)-driven lung cancer in mice, knockdown of CDC34 by lentivirus mediated transfection of short hairpin RNA significantly inhibited tumor formation. These results demonstrate that an E2 enzyme is capable of competing with E3 ligase to inhibit ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of oncoprotein substrate, and CDC34 represents an attractive therapeutic target for NSCLCs with or without drug-resistant EGFR mutations.
In addition to being a marker for muscle connective tissue,Odd skipped-related 2 (OSR2)is expressed in differentiated muscle cells during chick development
Authors: Nassari Sonya , Orgeur Mickael , Blavet Cédrine , Stricker Sigmar , Fournier-Thibault Claire , Duprez Delphine
Published: January 2018

The zinc finger transcription factor, Odd skipped-related 2 (OSR2) is a recognized marker of connective tissue in chick embryos. OSR2 gain- and loss-of-function experiments indicate a role in irregular connective tissue differentiation in chick limb undifferentiated cells. Re-investigation ofOSR2transcript location during chick development with in situ hybridization experiments showed thatOSR2was also expressed in differentiated muscle cells in limbs and head.OSR2expression was also observed in differentiated myotubes in chick foetal myoblast cultures. This shows that in addition to being a marker of connective tissue,OSR2is also expressed in muscle fibres during chick development.
Architecture of a multi-cellular polygenic network governing immune homeostasis
Authors: Dubovik Tania , Starosvetsky Elina , LeRoy Benjamin , Normand Rachelly , Admon Yasmin , Alpert Ayelet , Ofran Yishai , G’Sell Max , Shen-Orr Shai S.
Published: January 2018

Complex physiological functionality is often the outcome of multiple interacting cell-types, yet mechanistically how a large number of trait-associated genes yield a single multi-cellular network governing the phenotype has not been well defined. Individuals’ immune-cellular profiles at homeostasis show high heritability and inter-individual variation with functional and clinical implications. We profiled immune cellular variation by mass-cytometry in 55 genetically diverse mouse strains. We identify 788 genes associated with cellular homeostasis, supporting a polygenic model where 52% of genes correspond to core homeostatic functions whose genetic variants suffice to predict phenotype. Trait genes form a multi-cellular network architecture showing increased functional complexity over evolutionary timescales for shared regulation to all cells, specialized cell-specific programs, and between-cell synchronization. Contrasting to human studies suggests the regulatory network expands with environmental exposure history. Our findings shed light on the origin of immune-cellular variation and regulatory architectures that may generalize to other environmentally sensitive systems.
Polarized neutron diffraction using a novel high-T
c superconducting magnet on the single-crystal diffractometer POLI at MLZ
Authors: Thoma Henrik , Luberstetter Wolfgang , Peters Jürgen , Hutanu Vladimir
Published: January 2018

The polarized single-crystal diffractometer POLI is the first neutron scattering instrument routinely using 3He spin filters both to produce and to analyse neutron polarization. The instrument, with a non-magnetic goniometer, was designed to perform two types of polarized neutron diffraction experiment: spherical neutron polarimetry, also known as full three-dimensional polarization analysis in zero magnetic field, and classical polarized neutron diffraction, also called the flipping-ratio (FR) method, in high applied magnetic fields. Reported here is the implementation of the FR setup for short-wavelength neutrons on POLI using a new high-T
c superconducting magnet with a maximal field of 2.2 T. The complete setup consists of a 3He polarizer, a nutator, a Mezei-type flipper, guide fields and dedicated pole pieces, together with the magnet. Each component, as well as the whole setup, was numerically simulated, optimized, built and finally successfully tested under real experimental conditions on POLI. The measured polarized neutron spin transport efficiency is about 99% at different wavelengths, e.g. as short as 0.7 Å, and up to the maximal available field of the magnet. No further depolarization of the 3He cells due to stray fields of the magnet occurs. The additional use of the available 3He analyser allows uniaxial polarization analysis experiments in fields up to 1.2 T. The results of the first experiment on the field-dependent distribution of the trigonal antiferromagnetic domains in haematite (α-Fe2O3) are presented and compared with the literature data.
Self-reliance of the Koha acquisition module for managing procurement of printed books
Authors: Benahal Amrutraj Ravi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The automation of library acquisition is a balancing act which involves dealing with institutional procurement policies, administration, vendors, finance, books, internal audit, reporting and, above all, tracking. Few studies have dealt with the operational difficulties of the transition from manual to automated acquisition using Koha. The objective of this paper is to investigate the self-reliance of Koha in handling all stages of procurement, starting from suggestions to receiving an ordered title, and to discuss the constraints and difficulties faced during the process.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on internal documentation spanning a period of four years, the paper provides a first-hand account of the experience of the transition from manual to automated acquisition using Koha at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) Library, Bangalore.

Findings

The study reveals that Koha is partially self-reliant in an academic setup where acquisition is dynamic in nature; however, customizations can be made to make Koha self-reliant to a certain extent.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the procurement of printed books using the acquisition module of Koha.

Practical implications

The paper provides an insight into the acquisition module of Koha and also explores how acquisition workflows and functions are interconnected and interdependent, which could help acquisition librarians to setup a basic framework and policies before transitioning from manual acquisition to Koha acquisition module.

Originality/value

Automated workflow cannot be tested in a short period of time. This case study is an output of observations of about four years, along with possible limitations, features and customization capabilities of Koha for acquiring printed books. This will help the librarian to better understand the Koha acquisition module workflow.
Predicting motion picture box office performance using temporal tweet patterns
Authors: Hossein Najafi , Miller Darryl W.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate temporal tweet patterns and their effectiveness in predicting the financial performance of a movie. Specifically, how tweet patterns are formed prior to and after a movie’s release and their usefulness in predicting a movie’s success is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Volume was measured and sentiment analysis was performed on a sample of Tweets posted four days before and after the release of 86 movies. The temporal pattern of tweeting for financially successful movies was compared with those that were financial disappointments. Using temporal tweet patterns, a number of machine learning models were developed and their predictive performance was compared.

Findings

Results show that the temporal patterns of tweet volume, length and sentiment differ between “hits” and “busts” in the days surrounding their releases. Compared with “busts” the tweet pattern for “hits” reveal higher volume, shorter length, and more favourable sentiment. Discriminant patterns in social media features occur days in advance of a movie’s release and can be used to develop models for predicting a movie’s success.

Originality/value

Analysis of temporal tweet patterns and their usefulness in predicting box office returns is the main contribution of this research. Results of this research could lead to development of analytical tools allowing motion picture studios to accurately predict and possibly influence the opening night box-office receipts prior to the release of the movie. Also, the specific temporal tweet patterns presented by this work may be applied to problems in other areas of research.
Stochastic stability of fuzzy Markovian jump neural networks by multiple integral approach
Authors: Zheng Cheng-De
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology for the stochastically asymptotic stability of fuzzy Markovian jumping neural networks with time-varying delay and continuously distributed delay in mean square.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors perform Briat Lemma, multiple integral approach and linear convex combination technique to investigate a class of fuzzy Markovian jumping neural networks with time-varying delay and continuously distributed delay. New sufficient criterion is established by linear matrix inequalities conditions.

Findings

It turns out that the obtained methods are easy to be verified and result in less conservative conditions than the existing literature. Two examples show the effectiveness of the proposed results.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed approach lies in establishing a new Wirtinger-based integral inequality and the use of the Lyapunov functional method, Briat Lemma, multiple integral approach and linear convex combination technique for stochastically asymptotic stability of fuzzy Markovian jumping neural networks with time-varying delay and continuously distributed delay in mean square.
Enterprise risk management: history and a design science proposal
Authors: McShane Michael
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the evolution of enterprise risk management (ERM) out of fragmented disciplinary perspectives to provide a foundation for promoting interdisciplinary research and proposes a design science approach for more effective ERM implementation in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper synthesizes ERM research and practice from multiple disciplines.

Findings

Corporate risk management concepts were born in academic finance and developed further in the finance subset known as risk management and insurance. With the advent of ERM, efforts must broaden beyond applying statistical models to quantifiable risks. Other disciplines have expanded ERM research by embracing techniques to investigate risk management practices to produce knowledge that integrates practice and theory. ERM is promoted as integrated risk management, yet silos still remain in both practice and research.

Originality/value

This study provides a foundation and a proposal for moving ERM past academic and organizational silos, which is necessary to achieve the ERM philosophy and increase organizational resilience. Understanding the evolution and fragmented nature of ERM research and practice provides a foundation for interdisciplinary cooperation necessary to achieve the holistic ERM philosophy. A next frontier is effective ERM implementation. This paper argues for an organizational design science approach for mitigating the resistance to change that confounds effective implementation of ERM in organizations facing an increasingly uncertain environment and outlines future research for applying the approach to implementing the ISO 31000 risk management process.
Investor protection, valuation methods and the German alternative funds industry
Authors: Hoffmann Bernd , Paetzmann Karsten
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present the rules for determining the net asset value according to the AIFM Directive which have fundamentally changed regulation of the European alternative funds industry. The paper discusses how these rules must be applied to ensure a reliable and objective valuation and to protect the interests of investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon experience gained in the market following the implementation of rules on fund valuation in the European Union in 2011 and further in Germany in 2013. The valuation rules for relevant asset classes are presented and discussed in the light of the overarching goal of investor protection.

Findings

The paper’s findings show that the market participants saw the increased requirements as an opportunity and that they have adapted to the new system. This also applies to fund valuation, even though some people criticise terminology, lack of clarity and the complexity of the new valuation scheme from a practical perspective. Also, due to the increased valuation requirements, a consolidation among market participants can be expected.

Originality/value

The issues addressed in the paper are currently the subject of debate by regulators and market participants. There are direct implications for future prudential regulation in the asset management industry.
Incorporating visual methods in longitudinal transformative service research
Authors: Dodds Sarah , Bulmer Sandy , Murphy Andrew
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Consumer experiences of healthcare services are challenging for researchers to study because of the complex, intangible and temporal nature of service provision. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel longitudinal three-phase research protocol, which combines iterative interviewing with visual techniques. This approach is utilised to study consumer service experiences, dimensions of consumer value and consumer value co-creation in a transformational service setting: complementary and alternative medicine healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employed a three-phase qualitative longitudinal research protocol, which incorporated: an initial in-depth interview, implementation of the visual elicitation technique Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique and a final interview to gain participant feedback on the analysis of data collected in the first two phases.

Findings

Four key benefits derived from using the three-phase protocol are reported: confirmation and elaboration of consumer value themes, emergence of underreported themes, evidence of transformation and refinement of themes, ensuring dependability of data and subsequent theory development.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence that a longitudinal multi-method approach using in-depth interviews and visual methods is a powerful tool that service researchers should consider, particularly for transformative service research settings with sensitive contexts, such as healthcare, and when studying difficult to articulate concepts, such as consumer value and value co-creation.
Open innovation and the human resource dimension
Authors: Natalicchio Angelo , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Cardinali Silvio , Savino Tommaso
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand if and how the adoption of an open innovation (OI) strategy, that is acquiring externally developed knowledge, influences the innovation performance of firms and how this relationship is moderated by the recruitment of highly educated employees and the implementation of employee training activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an analysis based on the results of the 2010-2012 Italian Innovation Survey and considered only manufacturing firms. Accordingly, the econometric analysis was based on 2,836 firm-observations.

Findings

The study reveals that acquiring externally developed knowledge positively affects the innovation performance of firms. Additionally, while the moderation effect due to recruiting highly educated employees is not statistically significant, the implementation of training activities negatively moderates the investigated relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The present research confirms the positive effects of the adoption of OI strategies on the innovation performance of firms and, additionally, shows that implementing employee training activities may negatively influence the abovementioned relationship.

Practical implications

The present study suggests that firms acquiring externally developed knowledge should be careful in performing employee training activities, since they may hinder the positive effects of adopting OI strategies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the OI literature, by showing the positive effects of the acquisition of externally developed knowledge on the innovation performance of firms and by analysing the moderating role of human resources management practices, which is an aspect scantly discussed in the literature.
Optimal selection of acoustic leak detection techniques for water pipelines using multi-criteria decision analysis
Authors: Yazdekhasti Sepideh , Piratla Kalyan Ram , Matthews John C. , Khan Abdul , Atamturktur Sez
Published: January 2018

Purpose

There has been a sustained interest over the past couple of decades in developing sophisticated leak detection techniques (LDTs) that are economical and reliable. Majority of current commercial LDTs are acoustics based and they are not equally suitable to all pipe materials and sizes. There is also limited knowledge on the comparative merits of such acoustics-based leak detection techniques (ALDTs). The purpose of this paper is to review six commercial ALDTs based on four decisive criteria and subsequently develop guidance for the optimal selection of an ALDT.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerous publications and field demonstration reports are reviewed for evaluating the performance of various ALDTs in this study to inform their optimal selection using an integrated multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework. The findings are validated using interviews of water utility experts.

Findings

The study approach and the findings will have a broad impact on the water utility industry by identifying a suite of suitable ALDTs for a range of typical application scenarios. The evaluated ALDTs include listening devices, noise loggers, leak-noise correlators, free-swimming acoustic, tethered acoustic, and acoustic emissions. The evaluation criteria include cost, reliability, access requirements, and the ability to quantify leakage severity. The guidance presented in this paper will support efficient decision making in water utility management to minimize pipeline leakage.

Originality/value

This study attempts to address the problem of severe dearth of performance data for pipeline inspection techniques. Performance data reported in the published literature on various ALDTs are appropriately aggregated and compared using a MCDA, while the uncertainty in performance data is addressed using the Monte Carlo simulation approach.
Water management in Europe and Latin America
Authors: Silva-Rodríguez de San Miguel Jorge Alejandro
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore water management practices in four criteria – access to potable water; despoilment or pollution levels; grade of sanitation architecture; and grade of delivery architecture – in a variety of different Latin American and European nations to establish techniques that are currently been utilised in Europe that could improve water management in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the available literature on water management in Europe and Latin America is performed to uncover differences and similarities in Latin American and European nations. The documents find are mostly recent, ranging from the last five years (2012-2016).

Findings

Some best practices from Europe cannot be applied in Latin America due to lack of funding. Fortunately, this is likely to change, as many Latin American nations’ economies are rapidly improving. Tentative recommendations include installing a system of pipeline that passes through all rural areas, and governments partnering with local businesses to provide sanitation, and regular sanitation and environmental inspections to minimise water pollution. It is also advisable for serious consideration to be given to achieving a measure of universality vis-à-vis water management standards across Latin America.

Originality/value

There is limited information in literature on the analysis of water management in Europe and Latin America, so this paper serves as a reference to fill the gaps, mainly in Latin America because that region is in development compared to European countries with advanced water systems.
Sustainable urbanization performance evaluation and benchmarking
Authors: Fang Shuting , Ji Xiang , Ji Xinghua , Wu Jie
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a suitable framework of sustainable urbanization performance evaluation from the view of efficiency for mitigating the unbalance between the theoretical research of sustainable urbanization and the practical need of sustainable urbanization.

Design/methodology/approach

A slack-restricted slack-based measure data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and two sustainable urbanization benchmarking methods with individual and centralized view, respectively, are developed based upon the classical DEA theory.

Findings

The empirical results show that China is now suffering a relatively low level of sustainable urbanization. Too much waste water emission, too small an urban population proportion, and too much resource wastage are the major factors that drive China’s urbanization away from sustainability.

Originality/value

Having the overall aim of practical urbanization, the proposed framework can help stakeholders recognize different sustainable urbanization performance levels by offering them accurate sustainable urbanization performance scores. The framework can also direct governments to improve the sustainable urbanization performance. The empirical analysis of China’s provincial region sustainable urbanization performance with the proposed framework further demonstrates the theoretical and practical value of this research.
Provocateurs of creative performance
Authors: Kalyar Masood Nawaz , Kalyar Hadiqa
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the influence of employees’ character strengths of wisdom on stress and creative work performance, assuming stress to be a potential mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses survey questionnaires to gather information. Using the random sampling technique, the data were collected from 753 respondents from 200 organizations of Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data in order to explore proposed relationships.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest a positive relationship between wisdom strengths and the creative work performance of employees. In addition, stress was found to be negatively associated with both wisdom strengths and creative work performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the existing literature of human resources and positive psychology as the results of the study provide support to develop a link in research between creativity and personality, in general, and character strengths, in particular.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that by incorporating character strengths, firms may develop and foster the means that can expand the bounded rationality of employees to help them promote their creative activity and identify new and better ways to accomplish a task, thus ensuring better performance and increasing the likelihood of human resources becoming a source of competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The study is unique in its scope and implications because it focuses on empirical investigation of the effect of character strengths on stress and creative work performance in the Asian context, particularly in Pakistan.
Inclusive management in international organizations
Authors: Jonasson Charlotte , Lauring Jakob , Guttormsen David S.A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

A growing number of academics relocate abroad to work as expatriates in the university sector. While this employee group seems to have a highly constructive influence on the performance of university organizations, some problems in relation to effective inclusion of these individuals have been noted. In order to further advance the theoretical understanding regarding integration efforts in international university organizations, the purpose of this paper is to explore how two types of inclusive management, empowering management (identity-blind) vs English management communication (identity-conscious), affect local and expatriate academics.

Design/methodology/approach

Using responses generated from a survey of 792 local and 620 expatriate academics, this paper assesses the effects of inclusive management on job engagement and stress among the two groups.

Findings

The results show that one type of inclusive management, empowering management (identity-blind), has a favorable influence on job engagement and stress in both subsamples. The other type, English management communication (identity-conscious), increases stress for local academics but has no effect on the expatriates. These findings are useful for theory development in relation to employee inclusion in international organizations.

Originality/value

The authors have little knowledge about how inclusive management functions in international organizations. Testing the effect of identity-blind and identity-conscious inclusive management practices among two different groups of local and expatriate academics provides new insight to this area. In particular, the use of English management communication provides new knowledge on the integration of majority and minority groups in international organizations.
Wind farms affect the occurrence, abundance and population trends of small passerine birds: The case of the Dupont's lark
Authors: Gómez‐Catasús Julia , Garza Vicente , Traba Juan
Published: January 2018

The assessment of the effects of wind farms on bird populations is commonly based on collision fatality records. This could undervalue the effect of wind farms on small‐sized birds. We evaluate the effect of wind turbines on occurrence, abundance and population trends of a threatened small passerine species, the Dupont's larkChersophilus duponti. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies addressing the effect of wind farms on population trends using time‐series data from multiple wind farms.

We estimated population trends by fitting a switching linear trend model with the softwaretrim(Trend & Indices for Monitoring data). We used multiannual data surveys of five populations in the presence of wind farms and nine in their absence (2008–2016 period). Furthermore, we fitted a logistic and a negative binomial regression model to test the effect of wind farm proximity on species occurrence and abundance in 2016, respectively. We incorporated local connectivity and habitat availability estimates in both models as predictors.

Results showed a negative trend overall, but that was significantly more regressive in the presence of wind farms: 21.0% vs. 5.8% average annual decline in the absence of wind farms.

Dupont's lark occurrence and abundance in 2016 were negatively affected by measures of population isolation and positively affected by the distance to wind farms.

These results highlight the negative effect of isolation and wind farm proximity on Dupont's lark population parameters. Taking into account the metapopulation structure exhibited by the species in the study area, this work established a 4.5‐km threshold distance from wind farms, beyond which Dupont's lark populations should be unaffected.

Synthesis and applications. This work highlights the negative impact of wind farms on small‐sized birds and provides a 4.5‐km threshold distance that should be taken into account in the design of future wind energy projects. Moreover, we suggest an analytical approach based on population trends, species abundance and occurrence variation in relation to wind farms, useful for the assessment of wind farm impacts on small‐sized birds.