bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiating the impact of CSR strengths and concerns on firm performance
Authors: Alikaj Albi , Nguyen Cau Ngoc , Medina Efrain
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini & Co. (KLD) dimensions by distinguishing between corporate social responsibility (CSR) strengths and concerns and examine their individual effects on firm financial performance. Additionally, the study distinguishes between US domestic firms and multinational enterprises (MNEs) to provide additional insights and explore if any differences exist.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the KLD and Compustat databases are analyzed for a sample of 562 US firms, of which 359 are multinational corporations, and 203 operate solely in the USA. A path analysis was used to examine the effect of CSR strengths and concerns on firm financial performance.

Findings

The findings show that increases in CSR strengths as well reductions in CSR concerns are positively linked to firm financial performance. The results also suggest that addressing concerns would be more beneficial to MNEs as opposed to US domestic firms.

Research limitations/implications

First, it should be noted that this study is cross-sectional, thus limiting confirmation of causality. Future studies can confirm causality by conducting longitudinal analysis. Also, some country-specific regulations require firms to make certain CSR-related information publicly available. Future studies can focus on countries that have such regulations and make comparisons with countries that allow firms to decide for themselves whether or not to make CSR-related activities publicly available.

Originality/value

When measuring CSR, previous studies have combined the CSR strengths and concerns latent variables of the KLD database. This can potentially be a problem because CSR strengths and concerns are not meant to measure the same issues. By separating them into two distinct latent variables, the authors can better understand their individual effects on firm performance.
Factors influencing accounting students’ career paths
Authors: Ng Yen-Hong , Lai Sue-Pei , Su Zhi-Peng , Yap Jing-Yi , Teoh Hui-Qi , Lee Han
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence accounting students’ preference toward career paths. Career path refers to the choices of jobs and occupational positions an individual may choose to hold. Accounting students may choose to advance their career into one of the following areas: financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, finance, etc. According to past literature, choices of career path are influenced by intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, third parties, and career exposure.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered survey was used to collect data from students in a reputable private university in Malaysia. This university recruits a huge number of accounting students annually for its accounting program. A total of 306 questionnaires were collected for data analysis using statistical analysis system.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that undergraduate accounting students are more influenced by intrinsic motivation and career exposure in selecting their career paths, whereas third parties and extrinsic motivation are less likely to influence undergraduate accounting students’ career choices.

Research limitations/implications

The results, however, could not be generalized to all accounting students in Malaysia since the study was collected from only one private university in Malaysia and non-probability sampling technique was applied. The theoretical contribution of this study is the inclusion of new variables in the model.

Practical implications

Professional accounting bodies may benefit from the findings of this study as it may provide a basis in designing member recruitment strategies.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how shortage of certain career path for accounting students could be resolved.
Assessing the influence of work-life balance dimensions among nurses in the healthcare sector
Authors: Poulose Shobitha , Sudarsan N.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of work-related factors, namely work overload and work support on work-life balance (WLB) dimensions and its significant impact on work satisfaction particularly among South Indian nurses in the healthcare sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out in the healthcare sector comprising of 182 nurses employed in various hospitals located in southern parts of India through a structured questionnaire. The study adopted Barron and Kenny’s mediated regression analysis.

Findings

Work satisfaction showed a significant negative relationship with work overload and a positive relationship with work support. WLB dimensions, namely work to personal life strains, personal life to work strains, work to personal life gains (WPLG) and personal life to work gains mediated the relationships between work support and work satisfaction. However, WPLG mediated the relationships between work overload and work satisfaction.

Practical implications

The present investigation directed toward the importance of work-personal life balance experienced by the nurses in the healthcare sector imperatively influence both work and personal life domains and the study suggests that support from the organization, superiors and peers can go a long way in helping the incumbents to attain improved organizational outcomes.

Originality/value

This study focuses on investigating the mediating role of WLB dimensions in the relationship between organizational-related factors and work satisfaction among nurses in the healthcare sector in South India.
Hotel chains: survival strategies for a dynamic future
Authors: Richard Brendan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the future of hotel chains by exploring the evolving expectations of guests, potential innovations, emerging opportunities, and likely future scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review consisting of current events, industry reports, and recent trends is utilized to summarize and categorize the challenges and opportunities facing hotel chains.

Findings

The future of hotel chains will be driven by the convergence of an increasingly competitive landscape, along with a diverse evolving customer base seeking out unique and individualized experiences. In order to survive in the future hotel chains will have to: listen to and learn from guests incorporating big data insights, go beyond segments to provide personalized services, continuously develop the brand through signature experiences, utilize collaboration and open innovation to maintain an edge in technology and service, and through total revenue management generate ancillary revenues and maximize guest spend.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive set of recommendations to hotel chains highlighting opportunities related to: financing, revenue generation, personalization, and co-creation.
Digital amnesia and the future tourist
Authors: Greenwood Chris , Quinn Matthew
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of digital amnesia and its influence on the future tourist.

Design/methodology/approach

A trend paper based on environmental scanning and speculative future analysis.

Findings

The phenomena of digital amnesia are established. The growth of digital platforms and the consumer’s reliance is exponential. The implications for the future tourist in terms of decision making, the influence of marketing messaging and potentially the recall and reimagining of authentic experience will be significant in the future.

Practical implications

Subject to the signals of change, should consumer’s reliance on digital platforms for the storing of information and memories continue to grow this has implications on how tourism businesses engage with their customers, influence and inform their marketing and how destinations would be reimagined based on the recall of their visitors.

Originality/value

The trend of digital amnesia is an established and well-documented phenomenon. The development of the trend to consider the implications for the future tourism industry based a growing dependence on digital platforms is the focus of this paper.
The turning points of revenue management: a brief history of future evolution
Authors: Yeoman Ian Seymour , McMahon-Beattie Una
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The primary aim of revenue management (RM) is to sell the right product to the right customer at the right time for the right price. Ever since the deregulation of US airline industry, and the emergence of the internet as a distribution channel, RM has come of age. The purpose of this paper is to map out ten turning points in the evolution of Revenue Management taking an historical perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a chronological account based upon published research and literature fundamentally drawn from the Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management.

Findings

The significance and success to RM is attributed to the following turning points: Littlewood’s rule, Expected Marginal Seat Revenue, deregulation of the US air industry, single leg to origin and destination RM, the use of family fares, technological advancement, low-cost carriers, dynamic pricing, consumer and price transparency and pricing capabilities in organizations.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in identifying the core trends or turning points that have shaped the development of RM thus assisting futurists or forecasters to shape the future.
Prognostic value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with cutaneous angiosarcoma: A retrospective study of 18 cases
Authors: Umemura Hiroshi , Yamasaki Osamu , Kaji Tatsuya , Hamada Toshihisa , Otsuka Masaki , Asagoe Kenji , Iwatsuki Keiji
Published: March 2017

Cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with rapid growth and poor prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 18 patients with CAS who underwent 18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) at the initial visit to the Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital from September 2006 to March 2016. In the univariate survival analysis, patients with high standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the primary tumor showed significantly poorer prognosis than those with low SUVmax. Early assessment of prognosis using PET/CT may predict patient survival and is useful in the selection of therapeutic strategies.
Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma arising in Bowen's disease: Case report and review of the published work
Authors: Kogame Toshiaki , Tanimura Hirotsugu , Nakamaru Sei , Makimura Kaoru , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Kiyohara Takahiro
Published: March 2017

A 79‐year‐old Japanese woman presented with an ulcerated, brown‐red nodule in the center of a sharply demarcated, tan‐brown plaque situated on the left side of her right breast. Histologically, the plaque demonstrated an acanthosis with an intraepidermal epithelioma of Borst‐Jadassohn. Small oval nests of bland‐appearing basophilic cells in the periphery gradually enlarged into nests of various sizes and irregular shapes, composed of densely cohesive, atypical basophilic cells above the central nodule. The atypical keratinocytes shifted to atypical spindle cells beneath the acanthotic epidermis, penetrating deep into the subcutaneous tissue. In addition to vimentin and p63, the spindle cells were positive for several cytokeratin (CK) markers, including AE1/AE3, 34βE12 and CK5/6, which showed more intense signals closer to the epidermis. Basophilic cells in the clonal nests were positive for p63, AE1/AE3, 34βE12 and CK5/6. The MIB‐1 index was estimated at approximately 40–50% in both the bland‐appearing and the atypical basophilic cells. We describe the first case of spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma arising in an intraepidermal epithelioma expressed by clonal Bowen's disease, which was difficult to differentiate from clonal seborrheic keratosis.
Immigrant family members negotiating preferred cultural identities in family therapy conversations: a discursive analysis
Authors: Sametband Inés , Strong Tom
Published: March 2017

In this article we present a discursive analysis of how immigrant family members relationally recognize and co‐articulate with each other's preferred cultural memberships during family therapy conversations. This article draws from a qualitative study of family therapy conversations with a sample of sixteen video‐recorded sessions with nine immigrant families and their therapists, and from separate interviews with each family member. Selected segments of therapy conversations and subsequent individual interviews were transcribed verbatim for the analysis. We show exemplars of how therapists help immigrant family members move beyond dis‐preferred cultural membership ascriptions (i.e. misrecognition) by foregrounding cultural identities family members deem more appropriate. We conclude by discussing how this preference‐animated research can be useful for practitioners to help immigrant family members co‐construct cultural identities that suit them better as individuals and members of a family.

Practitioner points

Misrecognition occurs when immigrant family members’ preferred cultural identities are disregarded or not acknowledged in family conversations and interactions

By foregrounding cultural identities at play in family therapy, practitioners can facilitate dialogues helping family members recognize preferred cultural identities

Discursive research methods may enhance therapists’ awareness of how discursive negotiations of cultural identities influence family members’ relationships
Testing an International Measure of Public Service Motivation: Is There Really a Bright or Dark Side?
Authors: Rayner Julie , Reimers Vaughan , Chao Chih‐Wei (Fred)
Published: March 2017

‘Public service motivation’ (PSM) is usually reported as a bright force although recent debate alludes to a dark side. Variables representing each side are, respectively, job satisfaction and burnout. This study tests for both the bright and potential dark direct effects of PSM and responds to calls to further validate the international PSM instrument developed by Kim et al. (). Using a sample of 455 local council workers in Australia, analysis confirmed that while the measure was robust and generalizable in its structure, none of the dimensions of PSM were found to influence either job satisfaction or burnout. Plausible explanations include contextual factors, nomological concerns with the measurement instrument, and the notion that PSM has a non‐significant influence on either. The implications of these findings are discussed and future research proposed.
Video‐assisted thoracoscopy in the management of intrapleural extravasation of cytotoxic chemotherapy
Authors: Aguirre Victor J. , Barnett Dylan , Burdett Nikki , Joshi Rohit , Viana Fabiano F.
Published: March 2017

The extravasation of cytotoxic agents into subcutaneous tissue is a serious complication of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, if such extravasation occurs into the pleural space, limited data is available to guide appropriate management. We present the first report in the literature of video‐assisted thoracoscopy combined with a topoisomerase II inhibitor and iron chelator, dexrazoxane, in the successful management of this complication.
First report of the gall midge Asphondylia serpylli on thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and identification of the associated fungal symbiont
Authors: Zimowska B. , Viggiani G. , Nicoletti R. , Furmańczyk A. , Becchimanzi A. , Kot I.
Published: March 2017

Asphondylia spp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are known for inducing gall formation on many diverse plants in both wild and agricultural contexts. The species Asphondylia serpylli is herewith reported for the first time on thyme (Thymus vulgaris) cropped in Poland. The associated fungus has been identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea, representing its first record from cecidomyiid galls on a species of Lamiaceae. Moreover, a short account is given on the parasitoid species active in this particular ecological context. These findings point out the basic role of B. dothidea in the organization of these three‐component biotic systems regardless of the varied assortments between the midge species and their host plant.
Immune checkpoint proteins: exploring their therapeutic potential to regulate atherosclerosis
Authors: Foks A C , Kuiper J
Published: March 2017

The immune system provides a large variety of immune checkpoint proteins, which involve both costimulatory and inhibitory proteins. Costimulatory proteins can promote cell survival, cell cycle progression and differentiation to effector and memory cells, whereas inhibitory proteins terminate these processes to halt ongoing inflammation. Immune checkpoint proteins play a pivotal role in atherosclerosis by regulating the activation and proliferation of various immune and non‐immune cells, such as T‐cells, macrophages and platelets. Upon activation within the atherosclerotic lesions or in secondary lymphoid organs, these cells produce large amounts of pro‐atherogenic cytokines that contribute to the growth and destabilization of lesions, which can result in rupture of the lesion causing acute coronary syndromes, such as a myocardial infarction. Given the presence and regulatory capacity of immune checkpoint proteins in the circulation and atherosclerotic lesions of cardiovascular patients, modulation of these proteins by, for example, the use of monoclonal antibodies, offers unique opportunities to regulate pro‐inflammatory immune responses in atherosclerosis. In this review, we highlight the latest advances on the role of immune checkpoint proteins, such as OX40–OX40L, CTLA‐4 and TIM proteins, in atherosclerosis and discuss their therapeutic potential as promising immunotherapies to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc
Vascular inflammation and low‐density lipoproteins: is cholesterol the link? A lesson from the clinical trials
Authors: Catapano Alberico Luigi , Pirillo Angela , Norata Giuseppe Danilo
Published: March 2017

For long time, the role of LDL and inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis have been studied independently from each other and only more recently a common platform has been suggested. Accumulation of excess cholesterol due to the presence of increased circulating LDL promotes endothelium dysfunction and activation, which is associated with increased production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, overexpression of adhesion molecules, chemokines and C‐reactive protein (CRP), increased generation of reactive oxygen species and reduction of nitric oxide levels and bioavailability. All these processes favour the progressive infiltration of inflammatory cells within the arterial wall where cholesterol accumulates, both extracellularly and intracellularly, and promotes vascular inflammation. According to this, lipid‐lowering therapies should improve inflammation and, indeed, statins decrease circulating inflammatory markers such as CRP and improve endothelial function and plaque burden. Pleiotropic activities have been proposed to explain this effect. However, mendelian randomization studies ruled out a direct role for CRP on coronary artery disease and studies with other lipid lowering drugs, such as ezetimibe showed that the beneficial effect of LDL‐cholesterol‐lowering therapies on systemic inflammatory status, as monitored by changes in CRP plasma levels, could be achieved, independently of the mechanism of action, only in patients presenting with baseline inflamed conditions. These observations strengthen the direct link between cholesterol and inflammation and indicate that decreasing LDL levels is one of the key goals for improving cardiovascular outcome.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc
Impact of refractive error on quality of life: a qualitative study
Authors: Kandel Himal , Khadka Jyoti , Goggin Michael , Pesudovs Konrad
Published: March 2017

Importance

This study qualitatively explores the impact of refractive error on adults, particularly after correction.

Background

The study aimed to explore the impact of refractive error on quality of life.

Design

Cross‐sectional; in‐depth telephone and face‐to‐face semistructured interviews; qualitative study with inductive and deductive processes.

Participants

Forty‐eight adults with refractive error (including presbyopia) were recruited from the Flinders Vision, the Ashford Advanced Eye Care and among Flinders University staff and students, in South Australia.

Methods

The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed using thematic analysis.

Main Outcome Measures

Themes and categories

Results

The median age of the participants was 49 years (min: 22 years; max: 76 years). Most of them were female: (29; 59%). Most of them (36; 75.0%) had myopia followed by hyperopia (12; 25.0%). Twenty‐two (45.8%) participants had astigmatism. Similarly, 23 (47.9%) of them were presbyopes. Most of the participants (39; 81.3%) wore glasses; 17 (35.4%) used contact lenses, and 17 (35.4%) had undergone refractive surgery. A total of 2367 comments were coded. Thematic analysis resulted into six themes that informed about quality of life issues in people with refractive error. Concerns about cosmetic appearance, personal health and safety, difficulties in day‐to‐day activities and inconveniences rendered in daily life were identified as the most important themes.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study enrich the understanding on the issues important in people with refractive error. The quality of life issues identified will be used to develop a refractive error‐specific item bank.
Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Postmarketing Safety Events and Approved Doses of New Drugs in Japan
Authors: Okubo TK , Ono S
Published: March 2017

While efficient and less onerous for the industry, the globalization of clinical drug development may lead to limited efforts to optimize drugs for regional conditions. We examined the association between clinical development pathways, approved doses, and postmarketing safety risks in Japan for 135 new molecular entities approved between 2004 and 2011. The risk of drug‐related deaths seemed higher when pharmaceutical companies chose exactly the same dose as in the United States, even after conducting Japanese dose‐ranging studies. We also found a positive association with drug‐related deaths when the review process was expedited and when Japanese dose‐ranging studies were not conducted for nonexpedited drugs. Our findings suggest that the decisions on regional dose settings and the choice of global clinical development pathways are associated in ways that may influence the postmarketing outcomes in the target populations.
Left ventricular basal inferior pseudoaneurysm and left atrial dissection after myocardial infarction: Case report
Authors: Guerreiro Rui Azevedo , Congo Kisa , Carvalho João , Pais João , Brás Diogo , Piçarra Bruno , Caeiro Agostinho , Aguiar José
Published: March 2017

Left atrial dissection is a rare entity, mostly occurring after mitral valve surgery, with only a few cases described after myocardial infarction. The authors report a case of a 60‐year‐old man who presented with an inferior myocardial infarction, complicated with pseudoaneurysm of basal segment of left ventricular inferior wall, which expanded through the mitral ring to left atria, causing left atrial free wall dissection. The left ventriculo‐atrial communication through the pseudoaneurysm caused major para‐mitral regurgitation and the development of acute heart failure. Good clinical outcome was achieved with stabilization of acute heart failure with high‐dose diuretic therapy and delayed cardiac surgery with closure of left ventriculo‐atrial communication.
Echocardiographic assessment of pediatric semilunar valve disease
Authors: Cantinotti Massimiliano , Giordano Raffaele , Emdin Michele , Assanta Nadia , Crocetti Maura , Marotta Marco , Iervasi Giorgio , Lopez Leo , Kutty Shelby
Published: March 2017

We reviewed echocardiography literature for the assessment and management of semilunar valve disease in children. A search was performed within the National Library of Medicine using the keywords aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis (PS), and pulmonary regurgitation in children. The search was further refined adding the keywords—pediatric, neonates, echocardiographic definition, classification, evaluation. Thirty‐eight studies were included. For stenotic lesions, there were sufficient consistencies between Doppler and invasive gradients (especially for PS), while other quantitative parameters used in adults showed significant limitations when applied to children. Heterogeneities remain in the range of Doppler measurements utilized to define mild vs moderate vs severe AS/PS, and to guide management. There is sufficient consensus regarding indications for interventions. In regurgitant lesions, there is weak evidence supporting the use of quantitative or semiquantitative parameters after correction for body surface area; clear indications for intervention are lacking. Because adult echocardiographic recommendations cannot be simply translated to the pediatric age, more specific pediatric guidelines and standards for the assessment of semilunar valve disease are needed.
Genetic susceptibility to severe asthma with fungal sensitization
Authors: Overton N. L. , Simpson A. , Bowyer P. , Denning D. W.
Published: March 2017

Severe asthma is problematic and its pathogenesis poorly understood. Fungal sensitization is common, and many patients with severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS), used to denote this subgroup of asthma, respond to antifungal therapy. We have investigated 325 haplotype‐tagging SNPs in 22 candidate genes previously associated with aspergillosis in patients with SAFS, with comparisons in atopic asthmatics and healthy control patients, of whom 47 SAFS, 279 healthy and 152 atopic asthmatic subjects were genotyped successfully. Significant associations with SAFS compared with atopic asthma included Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) (p = .009), TLR9 (p = .025), C‐type lectin domain family seven member A (dectin‐1) (p = .043), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) (p = .0010), mannose‐binding lectin (MBL2) (p = .007), CC‐chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) (2 SNPs, p = .025 and .041), CCL17 (p = .002), plasminogen (p = .049) and adenosine A2a receptor (p = .024). These associations differ from those found in ABPA in asthma, indicative of contrasting disease processes. Additional and broader genetic association studies in SAFS, combined with experimental work, are likely to contribute to our understanding of different phenotypes of problematic asthma.
Information problem‐solving skills in small virtual groups and learning outcomes
Authors: Garcia Consuelo , Badia Antoni
Published: March 2017

This study investigated the frequency of use of information problem‐solving (IPS) skills and its relationship with learning outcomes. During the course of the study, 40 teachers carried out a collaborative IPS task in small virtual groups in a 4‐week online training course. The status of IPS skills was collected through self‐reports handed in over the course of the 4 weeks. Learning was evaluated by means of open‐ended questionnaires before and after the group task. Three types of knowledge learning were evaluated: declarative, procedural and situational. Teachers exhibited a recurrent use of all skills during the whole collaborative task, although periodic use differed from week to week. Results showed a relationship between some IPS skills and declarative and procedural knowledge. The skills that were statistically significant were share information, read peer's information and analyse information. Implications for learning support and instruction are discussed.
Daclatasvir/asunaprevir/beclabuvir, all‐oral, fixed‐dose combination for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1
Authors: Kao Jia‐Horng , Yu Ming‐Lung , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Heo Jeong , Chu Chi‐Jen , Chang Ting‐Tsung , Lee Youn‐Jae , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Yoon Ki Tae , Paik Seung Woon , Lim Young Suk , Ahn Sang Hoon , Isakov Vasily , McPhee Fiona , Hu Wenhua , Scott Swenson Eugene , Yin Philip D , Treitel Michelle
Published: March 2017

Background and Aim

This multinational (Taiwan, South Korea, Russia) phase 3 study evaluated the all‐oral, ribavirin‐free, fixed‐dose combination (DCV‐TRIO) of daclatasvir (NS5A inhibitor) 30 mg, asunaprevir (NS3 inhibitor) 200 mg, and beclabuvir (NS5B inhibitor) 75 mg, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype‐1 infection, with or without compensated cirrhosis.

Methods

UNITY‐4 (NCT02170727) was an open‐label, two‐cohort study in which 169 patients, treatment‐naive (n = 138) or treatment‐experienced (n = 31), received twice‐daily DCV‐TRIO for 12 weeks with 24 weeks of post‐treatment follow‐up. The primary efficacy end point was sustained virologic response at post‐treatment week 12 (SVR12) in treatment‐naive patients.

Results

Eighty‐eight (52%) patients were men, 81 (48%) Taiwanese, 78 (46%) Korean, and 10 (6%) Russian; 23 (14%) had compensated cirrhosis, and 52 (31%) were IL28B (rs1297860) non‐CC genotype. Baseline resistance‐associated NS5A polymorphisms (L31 and/or Y93) were detected in 25/165 (15%) patients with available genotype‐1 sequencing data. SVR12 was achieved by 98.6% (136/138; 95% confidence interval: 94.9–99.8%) of treatment‐naive and 100% (31/31; 95% confidence interval: 88.8–100%) of treatment‐experienced patients. Both virologic failures were found to be infected with hepatitis C virus genotype‐6g; 100% SVR12 was observed for genotype‐1a (n = 8) and genotype‐1b (n = 157). Two patients experienced serious adverse events. Eight (5%) patients experienced reversible grade 3/4 alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase elevations, leading to discontinuation in four (2%); all achieved SVR12. There were no grade 3/4 total bilirubin increases and no deaths.

Conclusions

Twelve weeks of DCV‐TRIO was well tolerated and provided 100% SVR12 in treatment‐naive and treatment‐experienced patients with genotype‐1 infection, with or without cirrhosis, including those with baseline NS5A‐L31 or NS5A‐Y93 resistance‐associated substitutions.
The agrarian political economy of left‐wing governments in Latin America: Agribusiness, peasants, and the limits of neo‐developmentalism
Authors: Vergara‐Camus Leandro , Kay Cristóbal
Published: March 2017

This paper concludes this special issue. It draws on the findings of the individual contributions and provides a comparison of the agrarian policies of left‐wing governments in Latin America. We identify common trends and offer an explanation of why these governments did not change the agricultural model in the direction of food sovereignty, but continued to heavily support agribusiness while redirecting some resources to peasant and family producers. They improved the living conditions of the rural poor, mostly through populist anti‐poverty and social protection programmes financed by the commodity boom. They expanded programmes to integrate small farmers into commodity chains and improved the working conditions of rural wage labourers, but did not carry out a redistributive agrarian reform. They instead continued to support agribusiness with numerous policies and measures. We argue that these governments did not curb the power of the dominant rural classes because these are highly intertwined with capital, making them part of a coalesced bourgeoisie that occupies key positions in the state. Leftist governments did not have a real agenda of social transformation or a strategy to tackle the rentier nature of the state. Contradictorily, their policies furthered peasant differentiation thereby weakening the previous alliance of rural subaltern classes.
Increased public reimbursement for prophylactic visits with dentists associated with increased receipt of preventive dental services in children
Authors: Fisher‐Owens Susan A. , Amendola Louis , Featherstone John D.B. , Inge Ronald E. , Flaherman Valerie J.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To determine whether higher reimbursement for children's preventive dentistry correlates with greater utilization of preventive dental care.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis of National Survey of Children's Health 2011/2012 was conducted, combined with state Medicaid reimbursement rates for preventive dentistry. Analyses included prevalence, unadjusted odds ratios, and multivariable logistic regression for receipt of preventive dental services.

Results

Of all surveyed American children 1–17 years, almost 20 percent had not received preventive dental care in prior year; this percentage is even higher in those with public insurance. Each $10 increase in state reimbursement was associated with a 17 percent decrease in odds of children not receiving preventive services.

Conclusions

Higher state reimbursement for preventive services may increase children's receipt of preventive dental care.
Efficacy of feline anti‐parvovirus antibodies in the treatment of canine parvovirus infection
Authors: Gerlach M. , Proksch A. L. , Unterer S. , Speck S. , Truyen U. , Hartmann K.
Published: March 2017

Objective

This prospective, randomised, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded study aimed to evaluate efficacy of commercially available feline anti‐parvovirus antibodies in dogs with canine parvovirus infection.

Methods

First, cross‐protection of feline panleukopenia virus antibodies against canine parvovirus was evaluated in vitro. In the subsequent prospective clinical trial, 31 dogs with clinical signs of canine parvovirus infection and a positive faecal canine parvovirus polymerase chain reaction were randomly assigned to a group receiving feline panleukopenia virus antibodies (n=15) or placebo (n=16). All dogs received additional routine treatment. Clinical signs, blood parameters, time to clinical recovery and mortality were compared between the groups. Serum antibody titres and quantitative faecal polymerase chain reaction were compared on days 0, 3, 7, and 14.

Results

In vitro, canine parvovirus was fully neutralised by feline panleukopenia virus antibodies. There were no detected significant differences in clinical signs, time to clinical recovery, blood parameters, mortality, faecal virus load, or viral shedding between groups. Dogs in the placebo group showed a significant increase of serum antibody titres and a significant decrease of faecal virus load between day 14 and day 0, which was not detectable in dogs treated with feline panleukopenia virus antibodies.

Clinical Significance

No significant beneficial effect of passively transferred feline anti‐parvovirus antibodies in the used dosage regimen on the treatment of canine parvovirus infection was demonstrated.
Parents’ perspectives on caring for children after solid organ transplant
Authors: Lerret Stacee M. , Johnson Norah L. , Haglund Kristin A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To explore parents’ experiences of the transition from hospital to home and complex chronic illness management following their children's solid organ transplant (SOT).

Design and Methods

Qualitative component of a larger mixed methods longitudinal study. Parents of SOT recipients were interviewed three times following hospital discharge from five major pediatric transplant hospitals in the United States.

Results

Analysis of parent interviews (N = 48) resulted in three themes that characterized the phases of transition to home and complex chronic illness care. Three themes, corresponding to the three time periods of data collection, included “getting back to normal” at 3 weeks, “becoming routine” at 3 months, and “facing a future” at 6 months. Challenges families experienced over the course of their transition are also described.

Practice Implications

The transition from hospital to home and complex chronic condition care is challenging and changes over time. Nurses are called upon to prepare parents to become knowledgeable and confident to care for the child after hospital discharge. Nurses can best support families in transition after SOT by anticipating and understanding their dynamic challenging complex care needs.
The effects of oat β‐glucan incorporation on the quality, structure, consumer acceptance and glycaemic response of steamed bread
Authors: Wang Lei , Ye Fayin , Feng Liyuan , Wei Fubin , Zhao Guohua
Published: March 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the incorporation of oat β‐glucan (OβG) on the sensory and nutritional quality of steamed bread. Wheat flour was substituted with OβG at levels varying from 0 g/100 g to 5 g/100 g. The results showed that the products containing 1 g/100 g and 3 g/100 g OβG produced a comparable overall consumer acceptance while a significantly lower score was given to the product with 5 g/100 g. Nutritionally, the presence of OβG impeded in vitro starch hydrolysis by amylolytic enzymes. More importantly, the addition of OβG up to 5 g/100 g did bring about a lower in vitro predicted glycaemic index to steamed bread, but it generated insignificant effects on the in vivo glycaemic response. The current work first demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating OβG‐enriched steamed bread and its nutritional superiority compared to the corresponding normal product.

Practical applications

Modern methods of food elaboration and processing frequently reduce the content of dietary fiber (DF). Despite the well‐known health benefits of DF consumption, average intake levels still fall far below recommended ones. Oat β‐glucan (OβG) is a kind of indigestible polysaccharide with diverse bioactivity. This article evaluated the effects of OβG incorporation on quality, structure, consumer acceptance, and glycaemic response of steamed bread. The addition of less than 3 g/100 g of OβG had negligible effects on the consumer acceptance of steamed bread. The enrichment at 5 g/100 g indeed deteriorated the consumer acceptance. Moreover, OβG highly lowered the glycaemic response of steamed bread. The current work first demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating OβG‐enriched steamed bread and its nutritional superiority compared to the corresponding normal product. OβG enriched steamed bread may offer an alternative to improve DF intake of residents.
A post cardiac surgery intervention to manage delirium involving families: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Mailhot Tanya , Cossette Sylvie , Côté José , Bourbonnais Anne , Côté Marie‐Claude , Lamarche Yoan , Denault André
Published: March 2017

Background

As many delirium manifestations (e.g., hallucinations or fears) are linked to patients' experiences and personality traits, it is suggested that interventions should be tailored to optimize its management. The inclusion of family members, as part of an intervention, has recently emerged as a solution to developing individualised patient care, but has never been assessed in post‐cardiac surgery intensive care unit where almost half of patients will present with delirium.

Aims

To assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an nursing intervention involving family caregivers (FC) in delirium management following cardiac surgery.

Design

A randomized pilot study.

Methods

A total of 30 patient/FC dyads were recruited and randomized to usual care (n = 14) or intervention (n = 16). The intervention was based on the Human Caring Theory, a mentoring model, and sources informing self‐efficacy. It comprised seven planned encounters spread over 3 days between an intervention nurse and the FC, each including a 30‐min visit at the patient's bedside. During this bedside visit, the FC used delirium management strategies, e.g. reorient the person with delirium. The primary indicator of acceptability was to obtain consent from 75% of approached FCs. The preliminary effect of the intervention on patient outcomes was assessed on (1) delirium severity using the Delirium Index, (2) occurrence of complications, such as falls, (3) length of postoperative hospital stay and (4) psycho‐functional recovery using the Sickness Impact Profile. The preliminary effect on FC outcomes was assessed on FC anxiety and self‐efficacy. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANCOVAs and logistic regressions.

Results

The primary indicator of obtaining consent from FC was achieved (77%). Of the 14 dyads, thirteen (93%) dyads received all seven encounters planned in the experimental intervention. Intervention group patients presented better psycho‐functional recovery scores when compared with control group patients (p = 0·01). Mean delirium severity scores showed similar trajectories on days 1, 2 and 3 in both groups.

Conclusion

The mentoring intervention was acceptable and feasible and shows promising results in improving patients and FC outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses should involve, if willing, FC to participate in activities that optimise patient well‐being FC to use recognized delirium management strategies like reorientation and reassurance.
Big Data Challenges of High‐Dimensional Continuous‐Time Mean‐Variance Portfolio Selection and a Remedy
Authors: Chiu Mei Choi , Pun Chi Seng , Wong Hoi Ying
Published: March 2017

Investors interested in the global financial market must analyze financial securities internationally. Making an optimal global investment decision involves processing a huge amount of data for a high‐dimensional portfolio. This article investigates the big data challenges of two mean‐variance optimal portfolios: continuous‐time precommitment and constant‐rebalancing strategies. We show that both optimized portfolios implemented with the traditional sample estimates converge to the worst performing portfolio when the portfolio size becomes large. The crux of the problem is the estimation error accumulated from the huge dimension of stock data. We then propose a linear programming optimal (LPO) portfolio framework, which applies a constrained ℓ1 minimization to the theoretical optimal control to mitigate the risk associated with the dimensionality issue. The resulting portfolio becomes a sparse portfolio that selects stocks with a data‐driven procedure and hence offers a stable mean‐variance portfolio in practice. When the number of observations becomes large, the LPO portfolio converges to the oracle optimal portfolio, which is free of estimation error, even though the number of stocks grows faster than the number of observations. Our numerical and empirical studies demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach.
Incomplete Role Exit and the Alimony Reform Movement
Authors: Crowley Jocelyn Elise
Published: March 2017

This analysis explores men's role exit process from being married to divorced in the context of the alimony reform movement in the United States. Those considering potential role exit may face governmental policies that either support or oppose them in making these personal changes. In this case, mostly men want to leave their husband roles behind but legally imposed alimony, in their view, unfairly binds them to their former spouses. This analysis uses 182 narratives to map out how major collective action frames—based upon the highly valued, masculine concept of autonomy—are generated in this social movement. Overall, this research demonstrates the importance of both considering the operation of governmental policies in producing successful or incomplete role exit for individuals, and how these same individuals can respond using collective action frames drawn from privileged notions of masculinity as they aim for significant life change.
Intra‐ and inter‐individual variability in the mechanical properties of the human skin from in vivo measurements on 20 volunteers
Authors: Jacquet E. , Chambert J. , Pauchot J. , Sandoz P.
Published: March 2017

Background/purpose:

The mechanical properties and behavior of the human skin in vivo are of medical importance, particularly to surgeons who have to consider the skin extension capabilities in the preparation of surgical acts. Variable data can be found in literature that result from diverse kinds of tests (in vivo, ex vivo, and postmortem) performed with different instruments.

Methods

This paper presents the results of in vivo measurements performed on a cohort of 20 healthy volunteers with an ultralight homemade uniaxial extensometer. Different anatomical zones were explored under different directions of solicitation in order to document inter‐ and intra‐individual variability as well as skin anisotropy.

Results

The experimental data obtained are fitted with a phenomenological exponential model allowing the identification of three parameters characteristic of the tested skin behavior. These parameters can be related to the concept of skin extensibility used by surgeons.

Conclusion

The inter‐ and intra‐variability observed on that cohort confirms the need for a patient‐specific approach based on the in vivo measurement of the mechanical behavior of the human skin of interest. Even the direction of higher skin stiffness is found to be individual‐dependent. The capability of the extensometer used in this study to fulfill such measurement needs is also demonstrated.
Recent progress in autophagic lysosome reformation
Authors: Chen Yang , Yu Li
Published: March 2017

Autophagic lysosome reformation (ALR) is the terminal step of autophagy and is essential for maintaining lysosome homeostasis during autophagy. During ALR, tubules are extruded from autolysosomes, and small vesicles named proto‐lysosomes, which are composed of lysosomal membrane components, are generated from these tubules. Eventually, proto‐lysosomes mature into functional lysosomes. In this review, we will summarize recent progress in understanding the regulation, mechanisms and physiological functions of ALR.
Recurrent Donath‐Landsteiner hemolytic anemia: a pediatric case report
Authors: Prince Sara D. , Winestone Lena E. , Nance Sandra J. , Friedman David F.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) is a form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by the Donath‐Landsteiner antibody (D‐L antibody). In children, this is typically a transient immune‐mediated hemolysis that follows a viral illness and does not recur. Recurrent acute or chronic PCH due to D‐L antibody is very rare.

CASE REPORT

We have reported a unique case of recurrent PCH in a 5‐year‐old boy with two acute episodes of hemolysis separated by 21 months of hematologic remission. Each episode was severe requiring red blood cell transfusions, intravenous methylprednisolone, and intravenous immunoglobulin during the second episode. Testing identified recurrence of the D‐L antibody with the classic anti‐P biphasic hemolysis.

CONCLUSION

This demonstrates that PCH can be a recurrent disease in the pediatric population (in the absence of syphilis) with the classical D‐L antibody.