bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an optimization model to determine sampling levels
Authors: Cudney Elizabeth A. , Qin Ruwen , Hamzic Zlatan
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– As the complexity of the multi-component products increases the quality of these products becomes increasingly difficult to control throughout the supply chain. The first step to manufacturing a quality product is to ensure that the product components from suppliers meet specifications. Product quality can be controlled through sampling inspection of the components. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model presented in this paper was developed to determine the optimal sampling levels for incoming lots containing parts for production and assembly of multi-component systems. The main objective of the model is to minimize the expected cost that is associated with a nonconforming item reaching assembly.

Findings

– In this research, the results showed that even with limited time available for inspection, performing sampling inspection significantly reduced the expected cost of a nonconforming item reaching assembly. The model, solved by the evolutionary algorithm, was able to provide a meaningful, near optimal solution to the problem.

Originality/value

– In this model the time available for inspection is limited, the distribution of defects is assumed to follow the binomial distribution, and the distribution of accepting the lot with defects follows the hypergeometric distribution. In addition, the inspection is considered to be accurate and, if a nonconforming item is found in the inspected sample, the entire lot is rejected. An example is given with real world data and the results are discussed as they relate to supply chain management and quality.
Supply chain quality management in education
Authors: Sarrico Cláudia S. , Rosa Maria J.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss the concept of supply chain quality management (SCQM) in education. It then analyses a particular country case study in light of the concept, presenting empirical evidence of the challenges and good practices relating to it.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical work is based on a country case study which includes data on four higher education institutions and nine secondary schools. Data are obtained from national and institutional documents, as well as from individual and panel interviews. The authors have used content analysis for both data and interview transcripts.

Findings

– The authors find that whereas we can think of education systems as supply chains, there are important challenges to SCQM in education, namely, regarding information sharing, trust, integration and leadership. Conversely, the authors have found some ad hoc good practice which could be developed into more systematic SCQM practice.

Research limitations/implications

– The study covers only a single case study, and a part of the education supply chain.

Practical implications

– The work could inform policy makers as well as institutional leaders on practices that would improve the performance of the education supply chain.

Social implications

– Education is a very important activity sector with a strong impact on the well-being of societies. Gains in education performance resulting from better SCQM in education would thus impact us all.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a novel way of looking at the education system through the lenses of SCQM; if implemented it could significantly improve the performance of education systems.
An extensive structural model of supply chain quality management and firm performance
Authors: Quang Huy Truong , Sampaio Paulo , Carvalho Maria Sameiro , Fernandes Ana Cristina , Binh An Duong Thi , Vilhenac Estela
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of supply chain quality management (SCQM) and to propose a research model that considers the impact of SCQM practices on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a comprehensive literature review, SCQM most relevant practices were analyzed and selected. These practices were categorized into four dimensions: upstream (supplier assessment, supplier quality management (QM)), downstream sides of a supply chain (customer focus), internal process (product/service design, process management and logistics) and support practices (top management support, human resource management, information and supply chain integration). The measurement instrument of firm performance was also developed, including three aspects: operational performance, customer satisfaction and financial performance.

Findings

– An innovative conceptual framework that provides a comprehensive picture covering core dimensions of SCQM and various aspects of firm performance was proposed. This conceptual framework can be used as “a guideline” for theory building and measurement instrument development of SCQM and firm performance. More importantly, on the road to gain a further insight, an extensive structural model that identifies direct and indirect relationships between SCQM and firm performance was also developed. Practitioners/managers can apply this model as “a road map” for implementing SCQM practices.

Research limitations/implications

– It is necessary to test the rationality of these models by using empirical studies in different contexts.

Originality/value

– The integration of quality and supply chain management still remains limited in the literature. Therefore, it is necessary to have a more focussed approach in assessing QM issues within the internal and external supply chain contexts. This study concentrates on the practices which improve quality aspects of the supply chain, known as SCQM practices. Proposed research models in this paper not only fill out the voids in the literature, but also contribute with conceptual frameworks for theory building in SCQM and firm performance. The authors also expect that this research can offer a useful guidance for measuring and implementing SCQM practices as well as facilitate further studies in this field.
Definition of a collaborative working model to the logistics area using design for Six Sigma
Authors: Carvalho Maria Sameiro , Magalhaes Dora sousa , Varela Maria Leonilde , Sa Jorge Oliveira , Gonçalves Isabel
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to create an online enterprise community for all logistics employees of Bosch Car Multimedia division in the Bosch Group, for an internal collaboration of the entire Bosch Group based on an IBM Connections platform: Bosch Connect. An additional concern, collected throughout the project, was to bring employees to join the platform, making it a tool of your daily work. The final objective is to implement and promote a tool to foster internal and external integration of the Bosch logistics community.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study is presented to illustrate the use of a Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology to support all the process creation of a collaborative community. There are several variants of the methodology DFSS. For the context of this project, will be used the define, measure, analyze, design and verify (DMADV) methodology, that is appropriated to design services processes and it addresses specifically to the remodeling processes.

Findings

– The use of DMADV methodology allows establish, systematically, a model which was in accordance with the target population needs.

Research limitations/implications

– Since this is a case study, it is not possible to generalize the results. Furthermore, this project was developed in a limit time (about four months). Thus, was not possible to obtain a large community.

Practical implications

– The case study brings some evidence of how a systematic approach to the design of a online enterprise community can support designers to meet user’s needs.

Social implications

– A new approach is proposed to meet an online enterprise community user’s needs.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no evidence the use of this methodology to support a construction of an online enterprise community.
A visualization platform for internet of things in manufacturing applications
Authors: Bi Zhuming , Wang Guoping , Xu Li Da
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a visualization platform to control and monitor wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in manufacturing applications.

Design/methodology/approach

– To make the platform flexible and versatile, a modular framework is adopted in modeling and visualizing WSNs. The Eclipse programming environment is used to maximize the scalability and adaptability of the platform. A set of the core functional modules have been designed and implemented to support the system operation. The platform is validated through a case study simulation.

Findings

– The platform is capable of accommodating different operating systems such as Windows and Linux. It allows integrating new plug-ins developed in various languages such as Java, C, C++, and Matlab. The Graphic User Interface has been applied to process and visualize the acquired real-time data from a WSN, and the embodied methodologies can be used to predict the behaviors of objects in the network.

Research limitations/implications

– The work has shown the feasibility and potential of the proposed platform in improving the real-time performance of WSN. However, the number of the developed functional modules is limited, and additional effort is required to develop sophisticated functional modules or sub-systems for a customized application.

Practical implications

– The platform can be applied to monitor and visualize various WSN applications in manufacturing environments such as automated workcells, transportation systems, logistic, and storage systems.

Originality/value

– The work is motivated by the scarce research on the development tools for monitoring and visualization of WSNs in manufacturing applications. The proposed platform serves for both of system developers and users. It is modularized with a set of core functional modules; it can be extended to accommodate new functional modules with a minimal effort for a different application.
Opportunity exploitation and resource exploitation
Authors: Ge Baoshan , Sun Yaqing , Chen Yong , Gao Yang
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Guided by the proposed opportunity and resource integrative entrepreneurial growth model, the purpose of this paper is to explore how different opportunity type firms grow integrally and what the laws for different opportunity integration growth modes are.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multiple case study on six firms in information and communication technologies industry in China is conducted.

Findings

– Three types of entrepreneurial opportunities exist. These are identification type opportunity, discovery type opportunity, and creation type opportunity. Entrepreneurship among the three types of entrepreneurial opportunities operates under different laws. For each type of entrepreneurial opportunity, firms need to balance the two growth modes, namely, the opportunity identification and assessment/resource allocation mode and the opportunity utilization and resource identification/acquisition mode, in order to achieve a leveraging effect.

Research limitations/implications

– Vertical comparison is missing.

Practical implications

– Firms need to balance the two growth modes, namely, opportunity identification and assessment and resource allocation mode and opportunity utilization and resource identification and acquisition mode, to achieve leverage effect.

Originality/value

– This paper integrates system theory with entrepreneurship research and proposes the opportunity and resource integrative entrepreneurial growth model. This model is helpful, both in aiding firms to follow the laws for entrepreneurial opportunities and to identify entrepreneurial opportunities. The business model plays a vital role in entrepreneurship. Firms taking advantage of the Internet of Things are more likely to gain a competitive advantage and to achieve success in their entrepreneurial activities.
Payout differences between family and nonfamily listed firms: a socioemotional wealth perspective
Authors: Deslandes Manon , Fortin Anne , Landry Suzanne
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The objective of this study is to explain family firm payout decisions based on socioemotional wealth (SEW) considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of publicly listed Canadian companies is examined for the period from 2003 to 2008. Distinguishing family firms from nonfamily firms, a Probit regression is used to analyze the likelihood of making a payout. For payout firms, regressions are used to analyze the relationship between payout level (dividends and share repurchases) and payout mix and family firms.

Findings

Results indicate that family firms are more likely to make a payout than nonfamily firms. Among payout firms, the level of payout among payout firms is lower for family firms than for nonfamily firms and their portion of payout in the form of dividends is higher. Lone founder family firms have a lower likelihood of making payouts than other family firms. However, among payout firms, they pay out more than other family firms and have a smaller percentage of their total payout in dividends than other family firms.

Research limitations/implications

Results are impacted by the definition of what constitutes a family firm. Family ownership was used as a proxy for the underlying SEW considerations. Future research could involve interviews with family firm representatives to investigate the relative importance of SEW considerations in their payout decisions.

Originality/value

In providing an alternative theoretical framing of family firms’ payout policies, the study suggests that payout differences between family and nonfamily firms may be driven in part by SEW considerations.
Is family ownership of a firm associated with the control of managerial discretion and corporate decisions?
Authors: Martinez Ferrero Jennifer , Rodríguez-Ariza Lázaro , Bermejo-Sánchez Manuel
Published: March 2016

Purpose

This paper considers the association between family firms and managerial discretion, hypothesising that a higher degree of family ownership may decrease the conflict of interest between owners and managers, thus avoiding the risk of discretionary actions by the latter.

Design/methodology/approach

Our empirical analysis is based on a large sample of international listed companies from 20 countries including the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and covers the period 2002–2010. Methodologically, we use a logit model with marginal effects on the panel data.

Findings

Our analysis shows that family ownership is associated with greater control and monitoring of managerial decisions, thus avoiding information asymmetries and, therefore, the risk of discretionary actions. In other words, family owners impose a stronger discipline and dissuade non-family managers from using managerial discretion to act in their own interest. Finally, we clarify the inconclusive results reported previously about the effects of family ownership on discretionary practices.

Originality/value

Our paper contributes to the family firm literature by providing evidence of the impact of ownership structure on the level of discretionay practices. Furthermore, we explore the differences between family and non-family firms as each group has its own varied characteristics. Moreover, in contrast to most previous studies, which have focused on only one country, we extend the analysis to include an international sample of 20 countries. This leads to potentially more powerful and generalizable results.
Assessing long-term orientation among founder- and descendant-led firms
Authors: Veider Viktoria , Kallmuenzer Andreas
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how family firms in general, and founder- and descendant-led firms in particular, espouse long-term oriented goals of continuity, perseverance and futurity in their narratives.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data from 11 founder-led and 13 descendant-led family firms from Austria was collected in a narrative setting for a better understanding of their long-term orientation. Content analysis via the help of atlas.ti was employed.

Findings

Findings suggest that family firms anchor decision-making with a constant awareness of their past, incorporate anticipation in decision-making and exhibit patience for investment. However, even though family firms jointly emphasize a long-term orientation, they approach it differently. Founder-led family firms put the founder and its family central to business decisions, emphasize idea development and admit their own mulishness. Descendant-led family firms attempt to maintain the business over generations, believe in the importance to develop new projects and target a sturdy development of the firm.

Originality/value

Family firms often have been accorded a certain long-term strategic orientation. However, what is missing from prior research is a more nuanced understanding of the LTO construct, as well as the heterogeneity of family firms in this regard. The findings contribute to extant research by showing how LTO is expressed in family firm narratives, providing a better understanding of the LTO construct, an omnipresent characteristic frequently used in family firm literature.
How transformational leadership facilitates innovative behavior of Korean workers
Authors: Choi Suk Bong , Kim Kihwan , Ullah S. M. Ebrahim , Kang Seung-Wan
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between transformational leadership (TL) and the innovative behavior of Korean workers. To this end, this paper also examines whether knowledge sharing and perceived organizational support (POS) influence the above causal relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper used a cross-sectional design, with questionnaires administered to 356 employees working in Korea manufacturing firms to test the relationship between TL and innovative behavior through knowledge sharing and the moderating role of POS.

Findings

– TL was significantly related to both employee innovative behavior and knowledge sharing. The results also shown that knowledge sharing mediated and POS positively moderated the relationship between TL and innovative behavior of employees.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research should examine antecedents of knowledge sharing and measure the effect of TL in other level such as team level, to enhance generalizability. Data should be also collected longitudinally, to extend the current cross-sectional design.

Practical implications

– Understanding the link between TL and innovative behavior with mediating and moderating factors can provide useful information to increase positive leadership outcomes and innovation performance.

Originality/value

– The findings point toward a positive relationship between TL and innovative behavior with mediating and moderating factors. In doing so, the paper adds to a body of work where innovative behavior was connected with leaders’ behavior and organizational-level predictors.
A System for Analysis, Categorisation and Grading of Fabric Defects using Computer Vision
Authors: Niles S.N. , Fernando S. , Lanerolle W.D.G.
Published: March 2016

Inspection of fabrics is a major consideration in fabric manufacture, as well as in manufacture of garments and other fabric-based goods. In this research, a computer-based system for objective assessment of fabric defects was designed with emphasis placed on fabric defects occurring in the Sri Lankan industry. Image processing techniques were used to analyse scanned images of the test fabric, compare it with an ideal sample, and identify defects according to pre-learnt rules. The information gathered was then used to grade the fabric, either by determining the frequency of defect occurrence or assigning points.

A new classification method for common defects was designed, thereby facilitating grading according to commonly used grading systems. A coding system for defects was also designed to help report defects to the user. The fabric defects were classified and stored according to the developed classification method and coding system.
Applicability of GIS tools in assessing performance of the transportation systems in urban areas
Authors: Al-Ali Mohammed Moshabeb
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate applicability of geographical information system (GIS) tools in assessing performance of the transportation systems which integrate spatial and GIS parameters and indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this context, performance measures have been objectively related to the strategic goals and objectives identified by policy makers in particular areas.

Findings

– Results suggest that as a result of on the characteristics of transportation system, further understanding and considerations have been achieved regarding the performance of the investigated transportation systems and the needed transport polices in the study areas.

Originality/value

– The integrating of spatial data with the conventional data to assess performance of the transportation system.
Review paper: Exploration geophysics for intrusion‐hosted rare metals
Authors: Thomas M.D. , Ford K.L. , Keating P.
Published: March 2016

Igneous intrusions, notably carbonatitic–alkalic intrusions, peralkaline intrusions, and pegmatites, represent significant sources of rare‐earth metals. Geophysical exploration for and of such intrusions has met with considerable success. Examples of the application of the gravity, magnetic, and radiometric methods in the search for rare metals are presented and described. Ground gravity surveys defining small positive gravity anomalies helped outline the shape and depth of the Nechalacho (formerly Lake) deposit within the Blatchford Lake alkaline complex, Northwest Territories, and of spodumene‐rich mineralization associated with the Tanco deposit, Manitoba, within the hosting Tanco pegmatite. Based on density considerations, the bastnaesite‐bearing main ore body within the Mountain Pass carbonatite, California, should produce a gravity high similar in amplitude to those associated with the Nechalacho and Tanco deposits. Gravity also has utility in modelling hosting carbonatite intrusions, such as the Mount Weld intrusion, Western Australia, and Elk Creek intrusion, Nebraska.

The magnetic method is probably the most successful geophysical technique for locating carbonatitic–alkalic host intrusions, which are typically characterized by intense positive, circular to sub‐circular, crescentic, or annular anomalies. Intrusions found by this technique include the Mount Weld carbonatite and the Misery Lake alkali complex, Quebec. Two potential carbonatitic–alkalic intrusions are proposed in the Grenville Province of Eastern Quebec, where application of an automatic technique to locate circular magnetic anomalies identified several examples. Two in particular displayed strong similarities in magnetic pattern to anomalies accompanying known carbonatitic or alkalic intrusions hosting rare‐metal mineralization and are proposed to have a similar origin.

Discovery of carbonatitic–alkalic hosts of rare metals has also been achieved by the radiometric method. The Thor Lake group of rare‐earth metal deposits, which includes the Nechalacho deposit, were found by follow‐up investigations of strong equivalent thorium and uranium peaks defined by an airborne survey. Prominent linear radiometric anomalies associated with glacial till in the Canadian Shield have provided vectors based on ice flow directions to source intrusions. The Allan Lake carbonatite in the Grenville Province of Ontario is one such intrusion found by this method. Although not discovered by its radiometric characteristics, the Strange Lake alkali intrusion on the Quebec–Labrador border is associated with prominent linear thorium and uranium anomalies extending at least 50 km down ice from the intrusion. Radiometric exploration of rare metals hosted by pegmatites is evaluated through examination of radiometric signatures of peraluminous pegmatitic granites in the area of the Tanco pegmatite.
Biological Flora of the British Isles:Fraxinus excelsior
Authors: Thomas Peter A.
Published: March 2016

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology ofFraxinus excelsiorL. (Ash) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of theBiological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history, and conservation.

Fraxinus excelsioris a large forest tree, native throughout the main islands of Britain and much of mainland Europe. Seedlings are shade tolerant, but adults are not so it tends to be an intermediate successional species, invading gaps in mixed stands rather than forming extensive pure stands. Ash grows on a wide range of soils but is commonest on nutrient‐rich soils with a high base status andpH > 4.2, and is at its best on dry calcareous screes and fertile alluvial soils.

Fraxinus excelsioris trioecious or subdioecious with male, hermaphrodite and female flowers and trees. Seed production is prolific with periodic higher producing mast years. Seeds are primarily wind‐dispersed, but they can float and be moved considerable distances along waterways. Germination is delayed by dormancy until usually the second spring after being shed.

Ash is tolerant of drought, but intolerant of spring frosts and so is predicted to fare well under current climate change scenarios, and indeed has recently been expanding in range in Europe. However, ash health and survival is currently seriously compromised by ash dieback caused by the fungusHymenoscyphus fraxineus(Chalara fraxinea) that has the potential to kill all but a very few resistant trees. Moreover, the emerald ash borer beetleAgrilus planipennis, a serious pest of ash species in N. America, has reached Europe (though not yet the British Isles) and poses an equally if not more serious long‐term threat to ash.
The snow and the willows: earlier spring snowmelt reduces performance in the low‐lying alpine shrub Salix herbacea
Authors: Wheeler Julia A. , Cortés Andres J. , Sedlacek Janosch , Karrenberg Sophie , van Kleunen Mark , Wipf Sonja , Hoch Guenter , Bossdorf Oliver , Rixen Christian
Published: March 2016

Current changes in shrub abundance in alpine and arctic tundra ecosystems are primarily driven by climate change. However, while taller shrub communities are expanding, dwarf shrub communities show reductions under climate warming, and the mechanisms driving the latter (such as warming temperatures or accelerated spring snowmelt) may be complex.

To determine and disentangle the response of a widespread arctic–alpine prostrate dwarf shrub to both climate warming and changes in snowmelt time, we investigated phenology, clonal and sexual reproduction, leaf size, wood tissue carbon balance and leaf damage in 480 patches of Salix herbacea, along its elevational and snowmelt microhabitat range over 3 years in a space‐for‐time substitution.

Earlier snowmelt was associated with longer phenological development periods, an increased likelihood of herbivory and fungal damage, lower stem density, smaller leaves and lower end‐of‐season wood reserve carbohydrates. Furthermore, while early snowmelt was associated with an increased proportion of flowering stems, the proportion of fruiting stems was not, as fruit set decreased significantly with earlier snowmelt. Warmer temperatures at lower elevations were associated with lower stem numbers and larger leaves.

Synthesis. Our study indicates that phenology, fitness proxies and fungal/insect damage of the dwarf shrub S. herbacea are strongly influenced by snowmelt timing, and that earlier spring snowmelt reduced performance in S. herbacea. The likely mechanisms for many of the observed patterns are related to adverse temperature conditions in the early growing season. Reductions in clonal (stem number) and sexual reproduction (reduced fruit set) under earlier snowmelt, in addition to increasing damage probability, will likely lead to lower fitness and poorer performance, particularly in shrubs growing in early‐exposure microhabitats. Further, we saw few concurrent benefits of higher temperatures for S. herbacea, particularly as warming was associated with lower clonal growth. As growing seasons become warmer and longer in arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems, early snowmelt is a critical mechanism reducing fitness and performance in a widespread dwarf shrub and may ultimately reduce dwarf shrub communities in tundra biomes.
Among a German Sample of Forensic Patients, Previous Animal Abuse Mediates Between Psychopathy and Sadistic Actions
Authors: Stupperich Alexandra , Strack Micha
Published: March 2016

In an attempt to explain the relationship between psychopathy and severe violent behavior, this study associates previous animal abuse, psychopathy, and sadistic acting in forensic patients. Two topics are addressed: (i) whether previous animal abuse can be identified by a patient's Psychopathy Checklist profile and (ii) whether animal abuse statistically mediates between psychopathy and sadistic acting. In a German forensic hospital, 60 patients were investigated. Animal abuse was assessed using face‐to‐face interviews and the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV), and sadistic acting was identified by file records.Discriminant analysis separated previous animal abuse (10/60) by high adolescent antisocial behavior, superficiality, lack of remorse, lack of empathy, and grandiosity. The mediation from psychopathy to sadistic acting (6/60) through animal abuse was found to be complete.The results, although sample size is limited and base rate of animal abuse and sadistic acting are low, fit with a model suggestive of animal abuse as a causal step toward sadistic crimes. Animal abuse correlates with callous, unemotional traits, and a development of sadistic crimes.
Cutaneous (tPA) and Skeletal (TnI) mRNA as Markers of Aging in Contused Wound
Authors: Ibrahim Samah F. , Issak Marwa , Bayoumy Amany A. , Abd El‐Fatah Dina S.
Published: March 2016

Wound age estimation is one of the most important forensic aspects. Troponin I (TnI) and many cytokines, for example, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), are involved in wound inflammation and healing. Skeletal (TnI) and cutaneous (tPA) mRNA was detected using real‐time PCR in 25 female albino rats. They were divided into 5 groups: control and 4 injured groups. Injured groups were sacrificed 1, 6, 24, and 30 h after inflicting contused wound. The expression levels of cutaneous (tPA) were decreased significantly at 1, 6, and 30 h after contusion (71.7%, 30.7 and 16.9%), while the expression levels of skeletal (TnI) were increased significantly at 1 and 6 h post‐traumatic, then they gradually decreased until reaching normal levels at 24 h and assumed significantly lower levels at 30 h postcontusion. These results suggested that the determination of cutaneous (tPA) and skeletal (TnI) mRNA levels was useful for wound age estimation.
Evaluation of Methods for Delineating Riparian Zones in a Semi‐Arid Montane Watershed
Authors: Salo Jessica A. , Theobald David M. , Brown Thomas C.
Published: March 2016

Riparian zones in semi‐arid, mountainous regions provide a disproportionate amount of the available wildlife habitat and ecosystem services. Despite their importance, there is little guidance on the best way to map riparian zones for broad spatial extents (e.g., large watersheds) when detailed maps from field data or high‐resolution imagery and terrain data are not available. Using well‐established accuracy metrics (e.g., kappa, precision, computational complexity), we evaluated eight methods commonly used to map riparian zones. Focusing on a semi‐arid, mountainous watershed, we found that the most accurate and robust method for mapping riparian zones combines data on upstream drainage area and valley topography. That method performed best regardless of stream order, and was most effective when implemented with fine resolution topographic and stream line data. Other commonly used methods to model riparian zones, such as those based on fixed‐width buffers, yielded inaccurate results. We recommend that until very‐high resolution (<1 m) elevation data are available at broad extents, models of riparian zones for semi‐arid mountainous regions should incorporate drainage area, valley topography, and quantify uncertainty.
Efficacy and safety of D. pteronyssinus immunotherapy in local allergic rhinitis: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Rondón C. , Campo P. , Salas M. , Aranda A. , Molina A. , González M. , Galindo L. , Mayorga C. , Torres M. J. , Blanca M.
Published: March 2016

The effects of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) on local allergic rhinitis (LAR) are largely unknown. We conducted the first randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled (DBPC), phase II trial of D. pteronyssinus (DP) subcutaneous AIT (DP‐AIT) on LAR (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02123316). Thirty‐six LAR patients received Pangramin PLUS DP or placebo for 24 months. The primary endpoints were symptoms, medication scores, and medication‐free days. The secondary included skin test, serum specific IgE and IgG4, nasal allergen provocation test (NAPT), and adverse events. AIT‐DP produced significant improvements in both primary and secondary endpoints vs placebo. After 12 months of AIT‐DP, we detected a significant and marked increase in allergen tolerance with negative NAPT in 50% of patients, and significant increases of serum sIgG4. Immunotherapy was well tolerated; no systemic reactions were reported. This study demonstrated that AIT‐DP is a safe and clinically effective treatment for LAR, confirming that LAR is a new indication for AIT.
Epidemiology and aetiology of childhood ocular trauma in the Republic of Suriname
Authors: Minderhoud Janna , van Nispen Ruth M. A. , Heijthuijsen Astrid A. A. M. , Beunders Victoria A. A. , Bueno de Mesquita‐Voigt Anne‐Marie T. , Moll Annette C. , Mans Dennis R. A. , Saeed Peerooz
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To describe the epidemiology and aetiology of ocular trauma in school‐aged children who previously visited the Suriname Eye Centre (SEC) of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo.

Methods

In a hospital‐based retrospective study, all cases of children who were school aged (8–15 years) at the time of the survey and previously underwent evaluation and/or treatment at the SEC because of ocular trauma were analysed. Demographic and ophthalmologic data were taken out of patient records; eye injuries were classified using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology classification system. Main outcome measures were type of injury, mechanism/cause of injury, final visual acuity (VA), hospitalization, patient delay and patient compliance.

Results

Five hundred and thirty‐eight records were analysed which included 35 open globe injuries (OGI) (7%), 458 closed globe injuries (85%), five orbital fractures (1%) and 40 eyelid injuries (7%). The most frequent causes of trauma represented body parts (18%) and sticks or branches (13%) and resulted from poking (20%) or punching (13%) the eye. Final VA < 6/60 was reported in 58% of registered OGI. Where living in rural areas (p = 0.007), OGI (p < 0.0001) and poor compliance to scheduled check‐ups (p < 0.0001) were statistically significantly related to an unfavourable outcome, patient delay was not. Patients having OGI were more often hospitalized than children with other injuries (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

This is the first study providing data on childhood ocular trauma in Suriname. As the majority of childhood injuries were avoidable, new policies should aim at developing effective, targeted preventive strategies to promote awareness, parental supervision, immediate action and compliance.
Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for zone‐II retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Karkhaneh Reza , Khodabande Alireza , Riazi‐Eafahani Mohammad , Roohipoor Ramak , Ghassemi Fariba , Imani Marjan , Dastjani Farahani Afsar , Ebrahimi Adib Nazanin , Torabi Hamidreza
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To assess the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab for Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in zone II ROP.

Methods

We conducted a randomized clinical trial. Preterm infants with a gestational age less than 34 weeks or birthweight less than 2000 g were examined at 4 weeks chronological age or 31 weeks postmenstrual age (whichever was later). Preterm infants with Zone‐II/Stage 2 or 3 and plus disease were included. Eligible infants were randomized to receive either conventional indirect laser therapy or intravitreal bevacizumab injections (0.625 mg/0.025 ml). The primary outcome was defined as treatment failure: ROP persistence or recurrence by 90 weeks postmenstrual age.

Results

Our study population comprised 79 infants (158 eyes) with Zone‐II ROP. Randomly, 43 infants (86 eyes) were assigned to receive intravitreal bevacizumab and 36 infants (72 eyes) to receive conventional indirect laser therapy. All the infants were followed up at least until 90 weeks postmenstrual age. Stage‐3 ROP recurred in nine eyes (10.5%) in the bevacizumab group and one eye (1.4%) in the laser group (p value = 0.018). In recurrent cases after the second treatment, ROP in eight of the nine eyes (88.8%) in the bevacizumab group and the eye in the laser group regressed.

Conclusion

Recurrence of neovascularization with bevacizumab monotherapy seems to be higher than that with conventional laser therapy among infants with Type 1 ROP in zone II ROP but reinjection of bevacizumab causes regression in most recurrent cases.
MicroRNAs in metabolism
Authors: Vienberg S. , Geiger J. , Madsen S. , Dalgaard L. T.
Published: March 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have within the past decade emerged as key regulators of metabolic homoeostasis. Major tissues in intermediary metabolism important during development of the metabolic syndrome, such as β‐cells, liver, skeletal and heart muscle as well as adipose tissue, have all been shown to be affected by miRNAs. In the pancreatic β‐cell, a number of miRNAs are important in maintaining the balance between differentiation and proliferation (miR‐200 and miR‐29 families) and insulin exocytosis in the differentiated state is controlled by miR‐7, miR‐375 and miR‐335. MiR‐33a and MiR‐33b play crucial roles in cholesterol and lipid metabolism, whereas miR‐103 and miR‐107 regulates hepatic insulin sensitivity. In muscle tissue, a defined number of miRNAs (miR‐1, miR‐133, miR‐206) control myofibre type switch and induce myogenic differentiation programmes. Similarly, in adipose tissue, a defined number of miRNAs control white to brown adipocyte conversion or differentiation (miR‐365, miR‐133, miR‐455). The discovery of circulating miRNAs in exosomes emphasizes their importance as both endocrine signalling molecules and potentially disease markers. Their dysregulation in metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis stresses their potential as therapeutic targets. This review emphasizes current ideas and controversies within miRNA research in metabolism.
Mucosal malignant melanoma – a clinical, oncological, pathological and genetic survey
Authors: Mikkelsen Lauge H. , Larsen Ann‐Cathrine , von Buchwald Christian , Drzewiecki Krzysztof T. , Prause Jan U. , Heegaard Steffen
Published: March 2016

Mucosal melanomas constitute 1.3% of all melanomas and they may develop in any mucosal membrane. Conjunctival melanomas (0.5/million/year) and melanomas in the sinonasal cavity (0.5/million/year) are the most common, followed by anorectal melanomas (0.4/million/year) and melanomas in the oral cavity (0.2/million/year). Anorectal melanoma occurs slightly more often in females, whereas oral melanoma has a male predilection. Mucosal melanoma most commonly develops in a patient's sixth or seventh decade of life, and no differences between races have been found except for sinonasal melanoma and conjunctival melanoma, which are very rare in Black people. The symptoms are not tumour‐specific and are related to the organ system affected, and the disease is most often diagnosed at an advanced clinical stage. The diagnosis of a primary tumour is difficult, and metastatic cutaneous melanoma and choroidal melanoma must be excluded. Mutations inKITare frequently found, whileBRAFandNRASmutations are rarely found – except in conjunctival melanomas that carryBRAFmutations. Mutations in theTERTpromotor region are also found in mucosal melanomas. Complete surgical resection with free margins is the treatment of choice. The prognosis is poor, with the 5‐year survival rate ranging from 0% (gastric melanoma) to 80% (conjunctival melanoma).
A scoping review of studies comparing the medication event monitoring system (MEMS) with alternative methods for measuring medication adherence
Authors: El Alili Mohamed , Vrijens Bernard , Demonceau Jenny , Evers Silvia M. , Hiligsmann Mickael
Published: March 2016

Different methods are available for measuring medication adherence. In this paper, we conducted a scoping review to identify and summarize evidence of all studies comparing the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) with alternative methods for measuring medication adherence. A literature search was performed using the open database www.iAdherence.org that includes all original studies reporting findings from the MEMS. Papers comparing methods for measuring adherence to solid oral formulations were included. Data was extracted using a standardized extraction table. A total of 117 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including 251 comparisons. Most frequent comparisons were against self‐report (n = 119) and pill count (n = 59). Similar outcome measures were used in 210 comparisons (84%), among which 78 used dichotomous variables (adherent or not) and 132 used continuous measures (adherence expressed as percentage). Furthermore, 32% of all comparisons did not estimate adherence over the same coverage period and 44% of all comparisons did not use a statistical method or used a suboptimal one. Only eighty‐seven (35%) comparisons had similar coverage periods, similar outcome measures and optimal statistical methods. Compared to MEMS, median adherence was grossly overestimated by 17% using self‐report, by 8% using pill count and by 6% using rating. In conclusion, among all comparisons of MEMS versus alternative methods for measuring adherence, only a few used adequate comparisons in terms of outcome measures, coverage periods and statistical method. Researchers should therefore use stronger methodological frameworks when comparing measurement methods and be aware that non‐electronic measures could lead to overestimation of medication adherence.
Corporate social responsibility: review and roadmap of theoretical perspectives
Authors: Frynas Jędrzej George , Yamahaki Camila
Published: March 2016

Based on a survey and content analysis of 462 peer‐reviewed academic articles over the period 1990–2014, this article reviews theories related to the external drivers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) (such as stakeholder theory and resource‐dependence theory) and the internal drivers of CSR (such as resource‐based view [RBV] and agency theory) that have been utilized to explain CSR. The article discusses the main tenets of the principal theoretical perspectives and their application in CSR research. Going beyond previous reviews that have largely failed to investigate theory applications in CSR scholarship, this article stresses the importance of theory‐driven explanations of CSR and the complementarity of different theories. The article demonstrates that the current mainstream theorizing of CSR is dominated by theories related to the external drivers of CSR and is less developed with regard to the internal dynamics. The article outlines several productive avenues for future research: the need for multi‐theory studies and more research at multiple levels of analysis, particularly at the individual level of analysis. It suggests that CSR scholarship can benefit from combining theoretical insights from a range of established theoretical lenses such as institutional theory and RBV, and can gain new insights from theoretical lenses such as Austrian economics and micro‐level psychological theories.
Obstetrician Attitudes, Experience, and Knowledge of Planned Home Birth: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Leone Jennifer , Mostow Jackie , Hackney David , Gokhale Priyanka , Janata Jeffrey , Greenfield Marjorie
Published: March 2016

Background

The incidence of planned home birth is increasing in the United States. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists acknowledges a woman's right to make an informed choice about place of delivery, including home birth. This exploratory study measures obstetricians' attitudes, experiences, and knowledge about planned home birth, identifies associations between these factors, and compares obstetricians' responses in Ohio to those in Arizona and New Mexico.

Methods

A survey about attitudes, experiences, and knowledge of planned home birth was distributed to obstetricians in Ohio, Arizona, and New Mexico. Attitude and knowledge scores were calculated for each respondent and used to evaluate associations through linear regression. Attitude and knowledge scores in states that have regulation of direct entry midwives (Arizona and New Mexico) were compared to a state which does not (Ohio).

Results

Obstetricians in all three states reported little experience and knowledge of planned home birth and overall negative attitudes. Obstetricians with stronger knowledge did not differ in their attitudes from those with less knowledge. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing attitude and knowledge scores in Ohio to Arizona and New Mexico, but Ohio obstetricians responded most negatively to the attitude questions.

Conclusions

Obstetricians have limited knowledge and experience and hold very negative attitudes about planned home birth. Research is necessary to determine: 1) whether negative obstetrician attitudes would be modified by exposure to home birth education and experience, and, 2) whether negative obstetrician beliefs deter safe and timely transfer from home or compromise hospital care for transferred parturients.
Differences in the digital home lives of young people in New Zealand
Authors: Hartnett Maggie
Published: March 2016

Digital technology is changing every aspect of life from how we communicate to the way we learn. International trends would suggest that digital access is becoming increasingly widespread in developed countries. But general trends may hide the fact that some households still do not have access to the internet for a variety of reasons. Differences in digital access and use, particularly along socio‐economic lines, may be less visible but are still present. This paper reports on a two‐phase study that explores home digital access and use of young people (16–17–years‐old) from a range of socio‐economic backgrounds across New Zealand. Phase one sought to establish what home access is available, while the second phase explores what kinds of digital technologies are used and for what purpose among a subset of young people. Results indicate that differences in digital access do exist among young people from different socio‐economic backgrounds. These differences include the number of digital devices in the home, the types of devices available, and whether the device(s) are shared or individually owned. These findings are particularly important in light of the finding that these young people perceived that digital access and use at school is inadequate and lagging behind everyday use. This suggests that there is still a considerable way to go to ensure equal digital opportunities for all.