bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining potential benefits and challenges associated with the Internet of Things integration in supply chains
Authors: Haddud Abubaker , DeSouza Arthur , Khare Anshuman , Lee Huei
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to have a huge impact on businesses and, especially, the way we think about supply chain management (SCM). However, there is still a paucity of studies on the impact of IoT adoption on supply chains and on different aspects of the business in general. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of the academic community of the impact of the IoT adoption in organizational supply chains with a view to verify potential key benefits and challenges existent in the literature. The research presents the impact on an organization along with the impact across its entire supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through the use of an online survey and 87 participants completed the survey. Participants were mainly from the academic community and were university scholars based in different countries located in six continents. Participants were authors, or co-authors, of academic papers published in the Decision Science Institute 2015 and 2016 annual conference proceedings, the 21st International Symposium of Sustainable Transport and Supply Chain Innovations, the Supply Chain Management: An International Journal 2016 issues, and the Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal 2016 issues.

Findings

The authors were able to confirm the significance of some of the examined potential benefits to individual organizations and their entire supply chains. However, the study identified other potential benefits that were not seen as a direct impact of IoT adoption. Most of the examined potential benefits were found to contribute to a number of critical success factors for implementing successful SCM. The authors were also able to confirm that some of the examined potential challenges were still perceived as key hinders to IoT adoption but examined potential challenges were not seen as hurdles to IoT adoption.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind. Although some literature attempted to provide an overview about the IoT management, no study has specifically explored potential benefits and challenges related to the adoption of IoT in supply chains and ranked them based on their significance. The results can be beneficial to academic scholars interested in the researched topic, business professionals, organizations within different sectors, and any other party interested in understanding more about the impact of adopting IoT on SCM.
Rethinking the role of management education in developing a “new” locus of CSR responsibility
Authors: Jayakumar Tulsi , Joshi Rukaiya Kirit
Published: September 2017

Purpose

India is the first country to have mandated compulsory corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends through changes in its legislative framework. Focus has thus shifted from the “why” to the “how” of CSR and, therefore, a shift in the “locus” of CSR responsibility from the “influencer” chief executive officer toward the “implementer” CSR professionals. The purpose of this paper is to study the role of management education in developing individual competencies among the implementers and impacting effective CSR implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, using a case study design, studies the role of management education in developing individual competencies among the implementers and impacting effective CSR implementation. Building on theoretical frameworks, this paper carries out an exploratory research of an Indian business school’s management education program for development practitioners. It uses qualitative inputs gathered from relevant stakeholders of the program to understand the role of management education in facilitating the paradigm shift in CSR in the Indian context.

Findings

The paper finds that the program has impacted outcomes at three levels, namely through developing key individual CSR-related competencies; impacting participants’ professional performance; and organizational impact in effective CSR implementation.

Practical implications

The case study provides a roadmap to business schools for designing and implementing programs for CSR professionals.

Originality/value

Extant research in the Indian context is silent on key competencies required for CSR implementation and also on the role of management education in developing the same. Such competencies can ensure the efficiency of the expected large CSR spends by private corporates under the new legal requirements and alter the country’s social development path.
Lean and process-orienting health care – linking and disentangling activities
Authors: Kastberg Gustaf , Siverbo Sven
Published: September 2017

Purpose

One of the latest trends within public administration and healthcare organizations (HCOs) is process orientation, often in the shape of Lean management. The purpose of this study is to expand our understanding of process orientation of HCOs and the more specific aim is to investigate what measures are taken to re-frame the HCOs to include the process dimension.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study is based on 67 interviews and 20 meeting observations.

Findings

The main observation in this study is that introducing process-oriented management solutions is about disconnecting and cutting-off existing links. The authors see how attempts are made to cut-off links to the logic of functional specialization, the autonomy of the professional worker, equal treatment of patients and other objectives.

Originality/value

This study adds to and expands previous studies that have problematized the use of Lean-inspired ways of organizing in the public sector.
Impact of legislation on post‐school transition practice for young people with additional support needs in Scotland
Authors: Richardson Thomas D. , Jindal‐Snape Divya , Hannah Elizabeth F. S.
Published: September 2017

A longitudinal study was conducted to understand post‐school transition practice for young people with additional support needs (ASN) before and after the implementation of key legislation, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, amended in 2009. Primary data were collected from one local authority in Scotland. Twelve professionals involved in post‐school transition planning were interviewed in 2004 and eight in 2010. Minutes of transition meetings from one school for three young people prior to the implementation of the Act and four after the implementation were analysed. Results show some changes since the implementation of the Act.
Application of the Optimized Summed Scored Attributes Method to Sex Estimation in Asian Crania
Authors: Tallman Sean D. , Go Matthew C.
Published: September 2017

The optimized summed scored attributes (OSSA) method was recently introduced and validated for nonmetric ancestry estimation between American Black and White individuals. The method proceeds by scoring, dichotomizing, and subsequently summing ordinal morphoscopic trait scores to maximize between‐group differences. This study tests the applicability of the OSSA method for sex estimation using five cranial traits given the methodological similarities between classifying sex and ancestry. A large sample of documented crania from Japan and Thailand (n = 744 males, 320 females) are used to develop a heuristically selected OSSA sectioning point of ≤1 separating males and females. This sectioning point is validated using a holdout sample of Japanese, Thai, and Filipino (n = 178 males, 82 females) individuals. The results indicate a general correct classification rate of 82% using all five traits, and 81% when excluding the mental eminence. Designating an OSSA score of 2 as indeterminate is recommended.
Patients’ choice between public and private hospital emergency departments: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: He Jun , Hou Xiang‐Yu , Toloo Ghasem (Sam) , FitzGerald Gerry
Published: September 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to understand what factors influence patients’ choice between public and private hospital ED and the relative weight of those factors among adult patients with private health insurance in Australia.

Methods

A survey of 280 patients was conducted in four public and private hospitals’ EDs in Brisbane between May and August 2015. The survey included information about respondent's demographics, nature of illness, decision‐making, attitudes and choice. Independent t‐test and Pearson's χ²‐test were used to identify binary associations, and logistic regression was used to determine what factors influence patients’ choice.

Results

Patients who agreed that ‘long waiting time is a barrier to access public hospital ED’ were twice as likely to choose private hospitals (odds ratio [OR] 2.172, P = 0.001). Alternatively patients who did not consider that ‘there were long waiting times in public hospital ED’ were less likely to access private hospitals (OR 0.200, P = 0.003). More public hospital patients (70.7%) than private hospital patients (56.4%) (P = 0.015) agreed that ‘out‐of‐pocket payment is a barrier to accessing private hospital ED’. Patients attending private hospitals rated the quality of service higher than those attending public hospitals (OR 1.26, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Longer waiting times in public EDs is the principal issue considered by patients choosing private EDs and the out‐of‐pocket payment for accessing private EDs is the principal issue considered by public ED patients. The study suggests that addressing the out‐of‐pocket payments will attract more patients with private health insurance to access private EDs.
Logistic regression analysis of the risk factors of anastomotic fistula after radical resection of esophageal‐cardiac cancer
Authors: Huang Jinxi , Zhou Yi , Wang Chenghu , Yuan Weiwei , Zhang Zhandong , Chen Beibei , Zhang Xiefu
Published: September 2017

Background

This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors of anastomotic fistula after the radical resection of esophageal‐cardiac cancer.

Methods

Five hundred and forty‐four esophageal‐cardiac cancer patients who underwent surgery and had complete clinical data were included in the study. Fifty patients diagnosed with postoperative anastomotic fistula were considered the case group and the remaining 494 subjects who did not develop postoperative anastomotic fistula were considered the control. The potential risk factors for anastomotic fistula, such as age, gender, diabetes history, smoking history, were collected and compared between the groups. Statistically significant variables were substituted into logistic regression to further evaluate the independent risk factors for postoperative anastomotic fistulas in esophageal‐cardiac cancer.

Results

The incidence of anastomotic fistulas was 9.2% (50/544). Logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender (P < 0.05), laparoscopic surgery (P < 0.05), decreased postoperative albumin (P < 0.05), and postoperative renal dysfunction (P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for anastomotic fistulas in patients who received surgery for esophageal‐cardiac cancer. Of the 50 anastomotic fistulas, 16 cases were small fistulas, which were only discovered by conventional imaging examination and not presenting clinical symptoms. All of the anastomotic fistulas occurred within seven days after surgery. Five of the patients with anastomotic fistulas underwent a second surgery and three died.

Conclusion

Female patients with esophageal‐cardiac cancer treated with endoscopic surgery and suffering from postoperative hypoproteinemia and renal dysfunction were susceptible to postoperative anastomotic fistula.
Micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma: Two cases, one in a multilocular thymic cyst, and literature review
Authors: Qu Linlin , Xiong Yan , Yao Qian , Zhang Bo , Li Ting
Published: September 2017

Micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma (MTWLS) is a rare type of thymoma that shows a similar pattern but varied morphology and immunophenotype of tumor cells. Because of the extremely limited number of cases reported, the pathology and biology of MTWLS are equivocal. Herein, we report two cases located in the anterior mediastinum: Case 1: a 58‐year‐old woman with a cystic mass measuring 5 × 3.0 × 2.5 cm in Mosaoka stage I; and Case 2: a 50‐year‐old man with a solid mass measuring 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.0 cm in stage IIb. Both patients were treated by thymectomy and are alive without recurrence or metastasis 15 and 17 months after surgery, respectively. Regardless of the spectrum of pathology and stage of MTWLS, this unique type of thymoma has a homogeneously favorable prognosis.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Effect of Video‐Based Prevention of Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Recent Sexual Assault Victims
Authors: Walsh Kate , Gilmore Amanda K. , Frazier Patricia , Ledray Linda , Acierno Ron , Ruggiero Kenneth J. , Kilpatrick Dean G. , Resnick Heidi S.
Published: September 2017

Background

This study examined whether a brief video intervention (Prevention of Post‐Rape Stress [PPRS]) delivered in the emergency department to recent sexual assault (SA) victims reduced alcohol and marijuana use at 3 points over the course of a 6‐month follow‐up compared to treatment as usual (TAU) and an active control condition (Pleasant Imagery and Relaxation Instruction [PIRI]). Prior assault history, minority status, and pre‐SA substance use also were examined as moderators of intervention efficacy.

Methods

Women aged 15 and older (N = 154) who participated in a post‐SA medical forensic examination were randomly assigned to watch the PPRS video (n = 54) or the PIRI video (n = 48) or receive TAU (n = 52) and completed at least 1 follow‐up assessment targeted at 1.5 (T1), 3 (T2), or 6 (T3) months following the examination.

Results

Regression analyses revealed that, relative to TAU, PPRS was associated with less frequent alcohol use at 6 months post‐SA among women reporting pre‐SA binge drinking and minority women. Relative to TAU, PPRS also was associated with fewer days of marijuana use at T1 among those who did not report pre‐SA marijuana use and prior SA. Findings for pre‐SA marijuana use were maintained at T3; however, findings for prior SA shifted such that PPRS was associated with fewer days of marijuana use at T3 for women with a prior SA.

Conclusions

PPRS may be effective at reducing substance use for some recent SA victims, including those with a prior SA history, a prior substance use history, and minority women.
Finding default? Understanding the drivers of default on contracts with farmers’ organizations under the World Food Programme Purchase for progress pilot
Authors: Upton Joanna , Lentz Erin
Published: September 2017

During the past two decades, food assistance policy has shifted toward local or regional food purchases and away from purchases from donor countries. Although most local and regional procurement occurs through hard tendering processes open to large‐scale firms and farms, there is growing interest in identifying how and whether to procure from smallholder farmer organizations (FOs). To date, little is known about the drivers of successful contracting with FOs. We utilize data from the United Nations World Food Programme Purchase for Progress pilot in three East African countries to predict defaults on contracts. We examine four possible explanations: country contexts, FO characteristics, prior experience with contracts, and contract modalities and their relationship to local spot market prices. The single most important predictor of default is the increase in market prices between contract approval and delivery. Yet, although increases in market prices are linked to increases in default, this relationship is decreasing in contract size, indicating search costs associated with breaking contracts. Our findings yield both generalizable and context‐specific insights about whether—and when—procuring from smallholder farmers can be successfully integrated into the food assistance toolkit.
Cancer in Australia: Actual incidence data from 1982 to 2013 and mortality data from 1982 to 2014 with projections to 2017
Authors:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Published: September 2017

Cancer is a major cause of illness in Australia and therefore ongoing monitoring of cancer in Australia is important. This study sources data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and reports actual number of cases diagnosed and deaths, for all cancers combined and selected cancers, from 1982 to 2013 for incidence and from 1982 to 2014 for mortality, with projections to 2017 for both. It is estimated that 134 174 new cases of cancer (excluding basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin) will be diagnosed in 2017. The number of new cancer cases more than doubled from 47 414 in 1982. Prostate cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in 2017, whereas breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in females. It is estimated that there will be 47 753 deaths from cancer in Australia in 2017. Although the mortality rate decreased, the number of people who died in Australia from cancer almost doubled from 24 922 in 1982. Lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in both males and females. In 2011, cancer was the leading cause of disease burden in Australia.
Main artifacts in electrocardiography
Authors: Pérez‐Riera Andrés Ricardo , Barbosa‐Barros Raimundo , Daminello‐Raimundo Rodrigo , de Abreu Luiz Carlos
Published: September 2017

Electrocardiographic artifacts are defined as electrocardiographic alterations, not related to cardiac electrical activity. As a result of artifacts, the components of the electrocardiogram (ECG) such as the baseline and waves can be distorted. Motion artifacts are due to shaking with rhythmic movement. Examples of motion artifacts include tremors with no evident cause, Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar or intention tremor, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and drugs such as amphetamines, xanthines, lithium, benzodiazepines, or shivering (due to hypothermia, fever (rigor due to shaking), cardiopulmonary resuscitation by chest compression (oscillations of great amplitude) and patients who move their limbs during the test, causing sudden irregularities in the ECG baseline that may resemble premature contractions or interfere with ECG wave shapes, or other supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. When the skeletal muscles experience shaking, the ECG is “bombarded” by apparently random electrical activity.
Wealthy Hand‐to‐Mouth Households in China
Authors: Cui Zhen , Feng Yalan
Published: September 2017

The wealthy hand‐to‐mouth are households who are poor in liquid wealth (e.g. cash and checking accounts) and rich in illiquid wealth (e.g. housing and retirement accounts), while the poor hand‐to‐mouth are poor in both liquid and illiquid wealth. Data from the China Household Finance Survey reveal the following facts about the country’s wealthy hand‐to‐mouth. First, they represent the majority of the hand‐to‐mouth households in China. Second, they have different wealth portfolios and demographic features from the poor hand‐to‐mouth. Finally, they have larger consumption responses to income fluctuations than non‐hand‐to‐mouth households, after controlling for endogeneity, income, hand‐to‐mouth status and other household characteristics.
Does the Confucius Institute Network Impact Cultural Distance? A Panel Data Analysis of Cross‐Border Flows in and out of China
Authors: Ghosh Sucharita , Lien Donald , Yamarik Steven
Published: September 2017

This paper examines the impact of cultural distance in general and the Confucius Institute Network in particular on cross‐border flows of tourists, goods and investment in and out of China. We estimate a panel gravity model of inbound and outbound flows between 2004 and 2012. We find that the presence of Confucius Institute(s) in the source country increases inbound tourism and equity flows and outbound export and FDI flows for China, while other measures of cultural distance have less of an impact.
Reversing expansion of Calamagrostis epigejos in a grassland biodiversity hotspot: Hemiparasitic Rhinanthus major does a better job than increased mowing intensity
Authors: Těšitel Jakub , Mládek Jan , Fajmon Karel , Blažek Petr , Mudrák Ondřej
Published: September 2017

Questions

Can hemiparasitic Rhinanthus major originating from a local population suppress the competitive clonal grass Calamagrostis epigejos and reverse its expansion in species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands? Does sowing seeds of R. major facilitate restoration of target meadow vegetation? Is R. major more beneficial for biodiversity restoration/conservation than increased mowing intensity, a conventional measure to suppress C. epigejos?

Location

Čertoryje National Nature Reserve, Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians) Protected Landscape Area, Czech Republic.

Methods

We conducted a before‐after‐control‐impact experiment in meadow patches heavily infested by C. epigejos: eight blocks, each containing four plots with four treatment combinations: (1) traditional management, i.e. mowing once in summer, (2) mowing in summer and autumn (3) mowing in summer and seed sowing of R. major, (4) mowing in summer and autumn and seed sowing of R. major. Above‐ground biomass of C. epigejos and vegetation composition of each of the plots were monitored every year from 2013 to 2016. To assess the effects of treatments, we analysed biomass production of C. epigejos, herb layer cover and vegetation composition.

Results

Both sowing R. major and an additional autumn meadow cut significantly suppressed C. epigejos. Their effects were additive and of comparable size. Both treatments also had significant but markedly different effects on community composition. Rhinanthus major facilitated directional community composition change towards the regional Brachypodio‐Molinetum meadows. In contrast, increased mowing intensity significantly decreased frequency of threatened species, which however may have also been influenced by R. major.

Conclusions

Sowing of autochthonous R. major seeds was demonstrated as an efficient tool to suppress C. epigejos and facilitate community restoration. It can be combined with an additional meadow cut to further accelerate decline of the grass. The additional cut should however be used as a short‐term practice (1–2 years) only to minimize potential negative effects of its long‐term application on some threatened plant species. The effects of R. major are comparable to those of Rhinanthus alectorolophus reported previously. As a species occurring naturally in species‐rich dry grasslands, R. major has a broader and longer‐term application potential than R. alectorolophus in ecological restoration and conservation of these communities.
Are There Unexplained Financial Rewards for the Snakes in Suits? A Labour Market Analysis of the Dark Triad of Personality
Authors: Lindley Joanne Kathryn
Published: September 2017

The Big Five personality test is used to generate psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism scores using a large UK individual level micro dataset. These scores show that high levels of narcissism and Machiavellianism can be associated with a higher incidence of employment in managerial occupations, while high levels of psychopathy are related to higher employment in the other services sector. The article finds a wage premium to Machiavellianism that is largest at the 90th percentile, over and above all productivity‐related explanations. The average hourly wage increase for a one‐point move up the Machiavellianism scale is around 2.1 per cent.
Should I just listen to you or change your mind too? Target's perceived efficacy of agents’ interpersonal affect improvement strategies
Authors: López‐Pérez Belén
Published: September 2017

People shape and influence others’ emotions every day. If these attempts are perceived as successful, they may have a positive effect on people's relationships and well‐being. Across two studies, targets’ perceived efficacy of regulation strategies to improve their sadness and anxiety/stress has been investigated. In Study 1, participants (n = 120) were provided with two scenarios depicting sadness and anxiety/stress and asked to imagine themselves in these situations. Afterwards, they were provided with different regulation strategies and asked to rate their perceived efficacy to downregulate their sadness and anxiety. In Study 2, participants (n = 120) were asked to describe a situation where they felt sad and another one where they felt anxious. They were then provided with strategies aimed at reducing their sadness and anxiety. Results from both studies showed that whereas for sadness higher perceived efficacy was predicted by affective engagement, for anxiety/stress was predicted by cognitive engagement.
Indigenous knowledge and implications for the sustainable development agenda
Authors: Magni Giorgia
Published: September 2017

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the international community committed to address a great number of challenges. Among those emphasised by the SDGs, some are highly relevant for indigenous groups. Education, poverty, access to justice and climate change are only a few of the issues affecting indigenous people's lives. Yet, indigenous groups are not passive actors. Despite being at the mercy of climate hazards and misleading political decisions, the knowledge system they have developed throughout the centuries has helped them to successfully respond to ecological and development challenges. By exploring indigenous cultures and their knowledge systems in greater depth, this article aims to understand how the sustainable development agenda can benefit from these different forms of traditional knowledge. More particularly, it will attempt to explain the main notions in which traditional knowledge is rooted and analyse means of knowledge maintenance and transmission. It will then explore the relationship between indigenous knowledge, sustainable practices and land and resource management, as well as climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies. These ideas will be supported by a discussion on the need to guarantee indigenous people full access to land and justice in order for them to fully realise their rights. The conclusion reflects on the importance of fostering an integrated system of knowledge in which indigenous groups are involved in knowledge sharing practices and decision making processes.
A short report on tooth replacement in an older suburban population in Nigeria
Authors: Ibiyemi Olushola , Lawal Folake B.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To determine: the knowledge of the participants about removable dentures, importance of tooth replacement; prevalence of tooth loss and denture use; and factors associated with its non‐use among an elderly population in Nigeria.

Background

Tooth loss without replacement can impact negatively on the quality of life of the elders, thus making use of denture a basic requirement for those with partial or complete edentulous arches in developed countries. It is, however, not known if this is the case among elders in suburban Nigeria.

Material and Methods

A cross‐section of 392 consenting elderly participants aged ≥65 years residing at Idikan, Ibadan, Nigeria, were interviewed on their biodata, knowledge of removable denture and importance of tooth replacement, history of use of denture and reasons for non‐use where applicable. Oral examinations for the presence of missing teeth and denture were conducted by an examiner. Data were analysed with SPSS and P value set at ˂.05.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 73 (SD = 9.2) years. About 39% of the participants believed that it was important to replace missing teeth, 56.0% had poor knowledge about tooth replacement options, and 47.7% had at least a missing tooth. Only 7.1% of those with missing teeth had them replaced and all were using removable acrylic partial dentures. Financial constraint was the main reason for non‐replacement of missing teeth (80.1%). Age, gender, occupation before retirement, income, level of education and presence of physical impairment were associated with non‐use of denture (P ˂ .05).

Conclusion

Many elderly individuals had poor knowledge about removable dentures and the importance of tooth replacement. About half of the participants had full complement of teeth and only 7.1% of those with tooth loss reported denture wear. Major reasons for non‐use of dentures were due to economic reasons.
Composition, microstructure, and friction behavior of PIRAC chromium carbide coatings prepared on Q235 and T/P 24
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Ma Shaojun , Wu Shoujun , Zhang Guoyun , Dong Ning
Published: September 2017

Chromium carbide coatings are prepared at 1173K (900°C) by powder immersion reaction‐assisted coating (PIRAC) on low carbon of steel Q235 and T/P 24, respectively. After 2 hours of the PIRAC treatment, the detected phases of the coating formed on the 2 substrates are different. After 4 hours of PIRAC treatment, Cr23C6 is the only detected carbide for both substrates. The morphologies of the Cr23C6 coating formed on the 2 substrates are different. The Cr23C6 coating prepared on Q235 has higher hardness and better sliding wear resistance against alumina ball specimens than that prepared on T/P 24. Formation mechanism of the PIRAC chromium carbide coatings is proposed and then difference of the produced coating is discussed.
HLA‐G gene 14‐bp deletion variant protects Iranian subjects against chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: Eskandari E. , Dahmardeh T. , Safdari V. , Khosravi S. , Pahlevani E.
Published: September 2017

To investigate whether 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism in HLA‐G gene is associated with the risk of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. This study was performed on a total of 396 individuals including 199 CHB patients and 197 healthy subjects from a south‐east Iranian population. We genotyped 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism in the HLA‐G gene using polymerase chain reaction method. The results of our study revealed that the HLA‐G 14‐bp deletion polymorphism was associated with a reduced risk of CHB at both allele and genotypic levels. The 14‐bp Del allele and Ins/Del genotype were more frequent in control group than in CHB patients (37% vs 28% for Del allele with OR = 0.68 and p‐value = .015; 73% vs 52% for Ins/Del genotype with OR = 0.43 and p‐value = .001) and both were protective factors against CHB. However, no difference was found in the distribution of HLA‐G 14‐bp genotypes among subjects with varied levels of HBV DNA or hepatic enzymes (p > .05). Our findings, for the first time, suggest that the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism may be a marker for genetic susceptibility to CHB infection.
What activities might facilitate personal recovery for adults who continue to self‐harm? A meta‐synthesis employing the connectedness/hope and optimism/identity/meaning/empowerment framework
Authors: Deering Kris , Williams Jo
Published: September 2017

Self‐harm is an international concern. While treatment in health care focusses on methods to reduce the act, there is less exploration in how to assist adults who are unable to minimize their self‐harm. In order to aid these people, in the present systematic review, we employed a qualitative meta‐synthesis to explore the lived experience of what activities might facilitate personal recovery for adults who continue to self‐harm. Findings were interpreted by drawing on theCHIMEframework; a taxonomy of personal recovery comprising of connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning and purpose, and empowerment. The located activities in the review converged on different support groups, and although face‐to‐face groups were discovered, the majority highlighted the benefits of Internet forums where mutuality and reciprocity were key to promoting personal recovery. Adults desired time to share accounts of themselves, to develop connection and identity. Furthermore, hope was established by group members accepting that self‐harm has a role, while congregating with others who did not judge the act. Helping relationships also promoted hope by having a balance between goals and protection against disappointment. The nature of writing online seemingly had cathartic properties fostering meaning, alongside empowerment being facilitated by adults controlling the narrative of their self‐harm. It is hoped that these insights might guide self‐harm research to develop beyond the confines of minimizing self‐injury in health care.
Compositional dependence of the optical properties of novel Ga–Sb–S–XI (XI = PbI2, CsI, AgI) infrared chalcogenide glasses
Authors: Huang Xinyu , Jiao Qing , Lin Changgui , Xu Tiefeng , Ma Hongli , Zhang Xianghua , Dai Shixun
Published: September 2017

A novel family of Ga2S3–Sb2S3–XI (XI = PbI2, CsI, AgI) was investigated to understand the role of metal halides and exploit new chalco‐halide glasses for infrared optics. The dependence of the thermal properties, infrared optical properties, and structural information of the novel family on different metal–iodines was investigated. Results showed that metal halides increase the glass stability but decrease the glass network connectivity. The compositional dependence of the short‐wave cut‐off edge is associated with the electronegativity difference between the cations and anions of the metal halides. Raman study showed that the metal–iodine modified the glass structure mainly through the iodide content, and the cations dissolved in the glass network mostly as charge compensators for the aperiodic network. For the glasses in the series Ga2S3–Sb2S3–XI–Dy3+, Dy3+ emission increased in the PbI2‐ and CsI‐doped glasses but decreased in the AgI‐doped glass due to the combined effect of dysprosium and oxygen. For all that, these novel glasses are highly promised for use in infrared optics.
Polymer‐derived ceramic aerogels as sorbent materials for the removal of organic dyes from aqueous solutions
Authors: Bruzzoniti Maria C. , Appendini Marta , Rivoira Luca , Onida Barbara , Del Bubba Massimo , Jana Prasanta , Sorarù Gian Domenico
Published: September 2017

Polymer‐derived SiC and SiOC aerogels have been synthesized and characterized both from the microstructural point of view and as sorbent materials for removing organic dyes (Methylene Blue, MB, and Rhodamine B, RB) from water solutions. Their adsorbent behavior has been compared with a polymer‐derived SiC foam and a commercial mesoporous silica. The aerogels can efficiently remove MB and RB from water solution and their capacity is higher compared to the SiC foams due to the higher surface area. The SiOC aerogel remains monolithic after the water treatment (allowing for an easy removal without the need of a filtration step) and its maximum capacity for removing MB is 42.2 mg/g, which is higher compared to the studied mesoporous silica and many C‐based porous adsorbents reported in the literature. The reason for this high adsorption capacity has been related to the unique structure of the polymer‐derived SiOC, which consists of an amorphous silicon oxycarbide network and a free carbon phase.
Fragmented QRS complex as a predictor of exercise‐related sudden cardiac death
Authors: Toukola Tomi , Junttila M. Juhani , Holmström Lauri T.A. , Haukilahti M. Anette , Tikkanen Jani T. , Terho Henri , Kenttä Tuomas V. , Aro Aapo L. , Anttonen Olli , Kerola Tuomas , Pakanen Lasse , Kortelainen Marja‐Leena , Kiviniemi Antti , Huikuri Heikki V.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Little is known about the association between electrocardiographic abnormalities and exercise‐related sudden cardiac death. Therefore, our aim was to identify possible electrocardiographic findings related to exercise‐induced sudden cardiac death.

Methods and results

The FinGesture study includes 3,989 consecutive sudden cardiac deaths in northern Finland between 1998 and 2012, out of whom a total of 647 subjects had a previously recorded electrocardiography acquired from the archives of Oulu University Hospital. In 276 of these cases the death was witnessed, and the activity at the time of death was either rest or physical exercise (PE); in 40 (14%) cases sudden cardiac death was exercise‐related and in 236 (86%) cases death took place at rest. Fragmented QRS complex in at least two consecutive leads within anterior leads (V1‐V3) was more common in the exercise‐group compared to rest‐group (17 of 40, 43% vs. 51 of 236, 22%, P  =  0.005). Pathologic Q wave in anterior leads was more common in the PE group (9 of 40, 23% vs. 26 of 236, 11%; P  =  0.044). Median QRS duration was prolonged in the exercise‐group compared to the rest‐group (100 milliseconds vs. 94 milliseconds, P = 0.047). QTc interval, the prevalence of inverted T‐waves, or other electrocardiographic abnormalities did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusions

As a conclusion, fragmented QRS complex in the anterior leads is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death during PE.
Salt intake and blood pressure response to percutaneous renal denervation in resistant hypertension
Authors: de Beus Esther , de Jager Rosa L. , Beeftink Martine M. , Sanders Margreet F. , Spiering Wilko , Vonken Evert‐Jan , Voskuil Michiel , Bots Michiel L. , Blankestijn Peter J. ,   the SYMPATHY study group
Published: September 2017

The effect of lowering sympathetic nerve activity by renal denervation (RDN) is highly variable. With the exception of office systolic blood pressure (BP), predictors of the BP‐lowering effect have not been identified. Because dietary sodium intake influences sympathetic drive, and, conversely, sympathetic activity influences salt sensitivity in hypertension, we investigated 24‐hour urinary sodium excretion in participants of the SYMPATHY trial. SYMPATHY investigated RDN in patients with resistant hypertension. Both 24‐hour ambulatory and office BP measurements were end points. No relationship was found for baseline sodium excretion and change in BP 6 months after RDN in multivariable‐adjusted regression analysis. Change in the salt intake–measured BP relationships at 6 months vs baseline was used as a measure for salt sensitivity. BP was 8 mm Hg lower with similar salt intake after RDN, suggesting a decrease in salt sensitivity. However, the change was similar in the control group, and thus not attributable to RDN.
The importance of frequent return visits and hypertension control among US young adults: a multidisciplinary group practice observational study
Authors: King Cecile C. , Bartels Christie M. , Magnan Elizabeth M. , Fink Jennifer T. , Smith Maureen A. , Johnson Heather M.
Published: September 2017

Young adults (aged 18 to 39 years) have the lowest hypertension control rates compared with older adults. Shorter follow‐up encounter intervals are associated with faster hypertension control rates in older adults; however, optimal intervals are unknown for young adults. The study objective was to evaluate the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure encounter intervals (average number of provider visits with blood pressures over time) and hypertension control rates among young adults with incident hypertension. A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients aged 18 to 39 years (n = 2990) with incident hypertension using Kaplan‐Meier survival and Cox proportional hazards analyses over 24 months. Shorter encounter intervals were associated with higher hypertension control: <1 month (91%), 1 to 2 months (76%), 2 to 3 months (65%), 3 to 6 months (40%), and >6 months (13%). Young adults with shorter encounter intervals also had lower medication initiation, supporting the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications. Sustainable interventions for timely young adult follow‐up are essential to improve hypertension control in this hard‐to‐reach population.
Results of Gottman Method Couples Therapy with Gay and Lesbian Couples
Authors: Garanzini Salvatore , Yee Alapaki , Gottman John , Gottman Julie , Cole Carrie , Preciado Marisa , Jasculca Carolyn
Published: September 2017

The results of an uncontrolled study of Gottman Method Couples Therapy in changing relationship satisfaction with 106 gay and lesbian couples is reported in this paper. Measurement of relationship satisfaction was conducted at five separate time points. The data show significant improvements in relationship satisfaction following eleven sessions of therapy for both gay male and lesbian couples. Effect sizes suggest that this therapy was highly effective, compared to the usual 0.5 standard deviation effect size in couples therapy. Initial co‐morbidities did not affect the size of the changes; in fact, some changes were significantly larger for three initial co‐morbidities.
An Economic Model of Professional Doula Support in Labor in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hanley Gillian E. , Lee Lily
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Spending on care in childbirth represents a sizable portion of health care budgets. This has engendered a growing interest in potential clinical tools that could be used to improve patient experience and population health at a lower cost. A possible such tool is continuous support in labor from a trained doula, as doula care can decrease the likelihood of cesarean birth, epidural analgesia, and assisted vaginal birth. In addition, there is some emerging evidence suggesting that involving doulas in prenatal care can reduce rates of preterm birth.

Methods

We used data on the associations between doula care and these outcomes derived from a Cochrane review of continuous labor support to create an economic model of universal doula support in the Canadian province of British Columbia. These relative risks were used to estimate procedure reductions and the resulting cost savings using data on the number of relevant procedures performed from Perinatal Services BC coupled with cost information from the Canadian Institutes for Health Information.

Results

For the calendar year 2013, we estimated savings in Canadian dollars (CaD) of CaD $10,428,171 (95% confidence interval [CI], $5,430,650‐$14,434,740) if every low‐risk birth were attended by a professional doula, not including the cost of the doula's services. Including reduction in preterm birth increases total savings to CaD $17,847,370 (95% CI, $6,772,341‐$27,054,610). A professional doula providing labor support would yield an estimated savings of CaD $269.55 (95% CI, $141.70‐$374.14) per low‐risk birth or CaD $418.67 (95% CI, $158.87‐$634.65) if including reductions in preterm birth. Any cost savings disappear at a doula reimbursement rate above CaD $418.67 per birth.

Discussion

There is potential to reduce health care costs while improving patient experience and population health by providing universal doula coverage. However, our results suggest that reimbursement rates for doulas would have to be lower than the current range (CaD $300‐$1500).
Dermal Filler Presenting as Lobular Radiopacities in an Edentulous Patient: A Clinical Report
Authors: Koka Sreenivas , Shah Kumar , Mallya Sanjay
Published: September 2017

This clinical report describes the unusual appearance of radiopacities, lobular in nature, observed on a dental panoramic image of an edentulous patient. Upon questioning, the patient described a history of recently having hydroxylapatite‐based dermal filler placed in her right and left cheeks to reduce wrinkles and enhance cosmetic appearance. The localization and shape of the radiopacities were consistent with the placement of the dermal filler.
Behaviour in Atlantic salmon confers protection against an ectoparasite
Authors: Bui S. , Oppedal F. , Samsing F. , Dempster T.
Published: September 2017

Altered behaviour is believed to be the first form of defence against parasite infection, through reducing opportunity for infection or deflecting parasites to sub‐optimal sites on hosts. To determine whether the suite of behaviours fish exhibit deter or deflect infection, we tested for differences in salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infection level and attachment location on three groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that were either normal, behaviourally modified via injection of ketamine hydrochloride or sham‐injected procedural controls. The frequency of behaviours differed between behaviourally modified and normal hosts, which resulted in 26–31% fewer lice in normal fish. Louse attachment locations were unaffected by behaviour. Jumping and motionless behaviours were more common and the frequency of burst swimming behaviour was reduced in non‐manipulated fish, suggesting that these behaviours restrict parasite attachment success. Our results show that the suite of fine‐scale behaviours that normal salmon display at the time of parasite encounter are associated with reduced infestation.
Persistence of Australia's most threatened snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) in Australia's oldest National Park
Authors: Goldingay R. L.
Published: September 2017

Evaluating the ecological effectiveness of protected areas is fundamental to understanding their value as a conservation tool. Investigating whether protected areas can retain highly threatened species should provide a rigorous test of their effectiveness. I used occupancy modelling to investigate population stability of a threatened venomous snake over a 16‐year period in the 135‐year‐old Royal National Park in Australia. I predicted that if the broad‐headed snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) was in decline then the probability of occupancy should decline over time and the age structure of the population should shift due to the species' slow life history traits. The occupancy‐based finite rate of increase remained just above 1.0 throughout the study, and the age structure remained unchanged, suggesting population stability. Modelling provided some support for hypotheses that distance to roads and walking trails influenced the probability of site extinction, while the number of occupied adjoining sites increased the probability of site colonization. There was no influence on site occupancy of a wildfire that occurred 4 years into the study. My findings suggest protection of habitat at specific locations may be sufficient to conserve this species but further population monitoring should occur to confirm this. My study shows that protected areas with high public visitation can play an important role in biodiversity conservation.