bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Number of Bacteria and Time of Coincubation With Bacteria Required for the Development of Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Authors: Nakagawa Hayate , Hattori Takaaki , Koike Naohito , Ehara Tomoko , Narimatsu Akitomo , Kumakura Shigeto , Matsumoto Tetsuya , Goto Hiroshi
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

We hypothesized that bacteria may be a factor contributing to the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). We investigated interactions between Acanthamoeba and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the development of keratitis in rabbit corneas.

Methods:

Acanthamoeba castellanii (ATCC50492) and P. aeruginosa (PAO-1) were used. Two densities of P. aeruginosa (high, 1 × 108/mL; low, 3 × 105/mL) and 2 durations of coincubation (long, 6 h; short, 2 h) of Acanthamoeba with 1 × 108/mL of P. aeruginosa were tested. Acanthamoeba alone or Acanthamoeba coincubated with P. aeruginosa was inoculated into rabbit corneas. After inoculation, levofloxacin (LVFX) eye drops were administered. The clinical score of the cornea was evaluated after inoculation.

Results:

Acanthamoeba alone did not produce keratitis during a 5-day observation period. Rabbit corneas inoculated with Acanthamoeba coincubated with low-density P. aeruginosa followed by topical LVFX were clear with few infiltrates. Corneas inoculated with Acanthamoeba coincubated with high-density P. aeruginosa followed by LVFX treatment developed severe keratitis, and clinical scores were significantly higher compared with high-density P. aeruginosa alone followed by LVFX treatment (scores 7, 9.6, 8.5 vs. 3, 3.5, 3.25 on days 1–3, all P < 0.01). The long (6 h) coincubation time of Acanthamoeba with high-density P. aeruginosa resulted in more severe keratitis compared with short (2 h) coincubation (scores, 9.7, 12.7, 12.1, 9.8, 8.7 vs. 7, 9.6, 8.5, 6.9, 5.6 on days 1–5, all P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

These results suggest that the presence of bacteria is essential and a critical number of bacteria is required for the development of AK. The time of coexistence with bacteria may be an important determinant of the severity of AK.
Periocular Amyloidosis Manifesting as Pseudopemphigoid Treated With Mitomycin C
Authors: Vahdani Kaveh , Thaller Vladimir T. , Albanese Giorgio , Dean Andrew F.
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To describe an unusual cicatrizing manifestation of periocular amyloid and the utility of adjuvant antimetabolite therapy.

Methods:

This is a case report of a 49-year old woman with progressive bilateral upper lid ptosis, who was found to have bilateral inferior forniceal masses with thickening of the conjunctiva. Conjunctival and eyelid biopsies showed evidence of amyloid deposition. Systemic evaluation did not reveal any evidence of systemic amyloidosis. Her blepharoptosis continued to deteriorate, and she underwent bilateral sequential upper lid ptosis correction surgery and debulking procedures. Subsequently, she developed severe and progressive cicatricial conjunctivitis with extensive symblepharon formation in all 4 fornices and restriction of ocular motility, simulating a clinical picture of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Results:

She was treated surgically by division of symblepharon augmented with application of topical mitomycin C intraoperatively. This has been partially successful in freeing up differential movement between her lid and her eye and consequently improving eye protection and lubrication.

Conclusions:

Pseudopemphigoid represents a rare manifestation of periocular amyloid. Risks and benefits of surgical procedures in this context need to be carefully weighed to minimize the risk of secondary complications. Topical mitomycin C may be considered as a relatively safe adjunct in managing the cicatricial component of the disease.
Pathogenesis of abdominal pain in bowel obstruction: role of mechanical stress-induced upregulation of nerve growth factor in gut smooth muscle cells
Authors: Lin You-Min , Fu Yu , Winston John , Radhakrishnan Ravi , Sarna Sushil K. , Huang Li-Yen M. , Shi Xuan-Zheng
Published: January 2017

Abdominal pain is one of the major symptoms in bowel obstruction (BO); its cellular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We tested the hypothesis that mechanical stress in obstruction upregulates expression of nociception mediator nerve growth factor (NGF) in gut smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and NGF sensitizes primary sensory nerve to contribute to pain in BO. Partial colon obstruction was induced with a silicon band implanted in the distal bowel of Sprague-Dawley rats. Colon-projecting sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (T13 to L2) were identified for patch-clamp and gene expression studies. Referred visceral sensitivity was assessed by measuring withdrawal response to stimulation by von Frey filaments in the lower abdomen. Membrane excitability of colon-projecting dorsal root ganglia neurons was significantly enhanced, and the withdrawal response to von Frey filament stimulation markedly increased in BO rats. The expression of NGF mRNA and protein was increased in a time-dependent manner (day 1-day 7) in colonic SMC but not in mucosa/submucosa of the obstructed colon. Mechanical stretch in vitro caused robust NGF mRNA and protein expression in colonic SMC. Treatment with anti-NGF antibody attenuated colon neuron hyperexcitability and referred hypersensitivity in BO rats. Obstruction led to significant increases of tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ currents and mRNA expression of Nav1.8 but not Nav1.6 and Nav1.7 in colon neurons; these changes were abolished by anti-NGF treatment. In conclusion, mechanical stress-induced upregulation of NGF in colon SMC underlies the visceral hypersensitivity in BO through increased gene expression and activity of tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ channels in sensory neurons.
Continuous noninvasive monitoring in the neonatal ICU
Authors: Sahni Rakesh
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

Standard hemodynamic monitoring such as heart rate and systemic blood pressure may only provide a crude estimation of organ perfusion during neonatal intensive care. Pulse oximetry monitoring allows for continuous noninvasive monitoring of hemoglobin oxygenation and thus provides estimation of end-organ oxygenation. This review aims to provide an overview of pulse oximetry and discuss its current and potential clinical use during neonatal intensive care.

Recent findings

Technological advances in continuous assessment of dynamic changes in systemic oxygenation with pulse oximetry during transition to extrauterine life and beyond provide additional details about physiological interactions among the key hemodynamic factors regulating systemic blood flow distribution along with the subtle changes that are frequently transient and undetectable with standard monitoring.

Noninvasive real-time continuous systemic oxygen monitoring has the potential to serve as biomarkers for early-organ dysfunction, to predict adverse short-term and long-term outcomes in critically ill neonates, and to optimize outcomes. Further studies are needed to establish values predicting adverse outcomes and to validate targeted interventions to normalize abnormal values to improve outcomes.
Survival Outcome of Filipino Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With Modified Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster/Hong Kong Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BFM95/HKALL97) Protocol in a Tertiary General Hospital From January 2005 to December 2009: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dujua Amanda Christina C. , Hernandez Flerida G.
Published: January 2017

This retrospective cohort study is primarily aimed to evaluate the outcome of children ages 0 to 18 years old, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and treated with a modified Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster/Hong Kong Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BFM95-HKALL97) protocol at University of Santo Tomas Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009. Seventy-eight patients were included. Majority were between 1 and 10 years old (87.2%), male (61.5%), with normal nutritional status, and classified as upper socioeconomic class (65.3%), mainly from National Capital Region (24.3%). Eighty percent had mild anemia and a white cell count <50,000/mm3. No patient had an initial platelet count <20,000/mm3. More than 90% were standard risk, with FAB L1 morphology and pre-B immunophenotype. Five-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 86.94% and 86.2%, respectively. Among the 69 patients in the efficacy subset analysis, the 5-year OS and EFS rates were 98.36% and 86.80%, respectively. Relapse rate was 14.5%. Only FAB morphology and risk classification were correlated with relapse. Most common complications were febrile neutropenia, sepsis, and oral mucositis during induction phase. No deaths occurred due to treatment complications. In conclusion, using higher doses of methotrexate during consolidation phase improved the 5-year OS and EFS rates of our patients, without an increase in complications or deaths. Other contributing factors include improved adherence to treatment and risk-based treatment classification.
Klf10 Gene, a Secondary Modifier and a Pharmacogenomic Biomarker of Hydroxyurea Treatment Among Patients With Hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Elalfy Mohsen S. , El Sherif Nayera H.K. , Kamal Tarek M. , Aly Nihal H.
Published: January 2017

Background:

The klf10 gene could indirectly modify γ-globin chain production and hence the level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) ameliorating the phenotype of β-hemoglobinopathies and the response to hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea [HU]) therapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of different genotypes for the klf10 gene in β-thalassemia major (B-TM), β-thalassemia intermedia (B-TI), and sickle cell disease (SCD) patients by polymerase chain reaction and to assess its relation to disease phenotypes and HU response.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 75 patients: 50 B-TM, 12 SCD, and 13 B-TI patients (on stable HU dose). The relation of the klf10 gene polymorphism (TIEG, TIEG1, EGRα) (rs3191333: c*0.141C>T) to phenotype was studied through baseline mean corpuscular volume, HbF, and transfusion history, whereas evaluation of response to HU therapy was carried out clinically and laboratory.

Results:

The frequency of the mutant klf10 genotype (TT) and that of the mutant allele (T) was significantly higher among B-TM patients compared with those with B-TI and SCD patients. Only homozygous SCD patients for the wild-type allele within the klf10 gene had a significantly lower transfusion frequency. The percentage of HU responders and nonresponders between different klf10 polymorphic genotypes among B-TI or SCD patients was comparable.

Conclusions:

Although the klf10 gene does not play a standalone role as an HbF modifier, our data support its importance in ameliorating phenotype among β-hemoglobinopathies.
Neuroblastoma in a Child With Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome
Authors: Ozcan Alper , Acer Hamit , Ciraci Saliha , Gumus Hakan , Karakukcu Musa , Patiroglu Turkan , Ozdemir Mehmet A. , Unal Ekrem
Published: January 2017

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood originating from sympathetic nervous system cells. Neuroblastoma has also been diagnosed in conjunction with other congenital conditions such as Hirschsprung’s disease, congenital hypoventilation disorder, and neurofibromatosis type 1. Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is a congenital disorder caused by microdeletion of short arm of chromosome 4 encoding MSX1 gene with characteristic facial features. We describe a child with dysmorphic features, developmental delay, mental retardation who developed neuroblastoma at 2 years of age and cytogenetic analysis of blood lymphocytes revealed an interstitial deletion of 4p(15,2). To best our knowledge, this report is the first report of neuroblastoma in a child with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome; and the reported association may be an important clue for oncological follow-up of patients with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
A Rare Case of Perinatal Intrarenal Neuroblastoma
Authors: Solmuthu Azhagan Salaisudhanprabu , Srinivasan Arathi , Rajendran Shobana , Ravinder Dema , Yadav Rahul , Ramachandran Priya , Vij Mukul , Xavier Scott Julius
Published: January 2017

Perinatal neuroblastoma is the most common solid malignant tumor in infancy which comprises one fifth of all neuroblastomas. Most of them are of adrenal origin and extra-adrenal neuroblastoma is uncommon. We present a rare case of perinatal intrarenal neuroblastoma in a neonate who presented with an incidentally detected abdominal mass. These tumors cause diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma because of its uncommon location. Although very rare, neuroblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of perinatally detected renal tumors.
Vision Problems and Reduced Reading Outcomes in Queensland Schoolchildren
Authors: Hopkins Shelley , Sampson Geoff P. , Hendicott Peter L. , Wood Joanne M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To assess the relationship between vision and reading outcomes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous schoolchildren to determine whether vision problems are associated with lower reading outcomes in these populations.

Methods

Vision testing and reading assessments were performed on 508 Indigenous and non-Indigenous schoolchildren in Queensland, Australia divided into two age groups: Grades 1 and 2 (6–7 years of age) and Grades 6 and 7 (12–13 years of age). Vision parameters measured included cycloplegic refraction, near point of convergence, heterophoria, fusional vergence range, rapid automatized naming, and visual motor integration. The following vision conditions were then classified based on the vision findings: uncorrected hyperopia, convergence insufficiency, reduced rapid automatized naming, and delayed visual motor integration. Reading accuracy and reading comprehension were measured with the Neale reading test. The effect of uncorrected hyperopia, convergence insufficiency, reduced rapid automatized naming, and delayed visual motor integration on reading accuracy and reading comprehension were investigated with ANCOVAs.

Results

The ANCOVAs explained a significant proportion of variance in both reading accuracy and reading comprehension scores in both age groups, with 40% of the variation in reading accuracy and 33% of the variation in reading comprehension explained in the younger age group, and 27% and 10% of the variation in reading accuracy and reading comprehension, respectively, in the older age group. The vision parameters of visual motor integration and rapid automatized naming were significant predictors in all ANCOVAs (P< .01). The direction of the relationship was such that reduced reading results were explained by reduced visual motor integration and rapid automatized naming results.

Conclusions

Both reduced rapid automatized naming and visual motor integration were associated with poorer reading outcomes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. This is an important finding given the recent emphasis placed on Indigenous children’s reading skills and the fact that reduced rapid automatized naming and visual motor integration skills are more common in this group.
Functional Characteristics of Health Coalitions in Local Public Health Systems: Exploring the Function of County Health Councils in Tennessee
Authors: Barnes Priscilla , Erwin Paul , Moonesinghe Ramal , Brooks Ashley , Carlton Erik L. , Behringer Bruce
Published: January 2017

Context:

Partnerships are emerging as critically important vehicles for addressing health in local communities. Coalitions involving local health departments can be viewed as the embodiment of a local public health system. Although it is known that these networks are heavily involved in assessment and community planning activities, limited studies have evaluated whether health coalitions are functioning at an optimal capacity.

Objective:

This study assesses the extent to which health coalitions met or exceeded expectations for building functional capacity within their respective networks.

Design:

An evaluative framework was developed focusing on 8 functional characteristics of coalitions previously identified by Erwin and Mills. Twenty-nine indicators were identified that served as “proxy” measures of functional capacity within health coalitions.

Setting and Participants:

Ninety-three County Health Councils (CoHCs) in Tennessee.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Diverse member representation; formal rules, roles, and procedures; open, frequent interpersonal communication; task-focused climate; council leadership; resources; active member participation; and external linkages were assessed to determine the level of functionality of CoHCs. Scores across all CoHCs were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, and measures of variability. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.3.

Results:

Of 68 CoHCs (73% response rate), the total mean score for the level of functional characteristics was 30.5 (median = 30.5; SD = 6.3; range, 18-44). Of the 8 functional characteristics, CoHCs met or exceeded all indicators associated with council leadership, tasked-focused climate, and external linkages. Lowest scores were for having a written communications plan, written priorities or goals, and opportunities for training.

Conclusion:

This study advances the research on health coalitions by establishing a process for quantifying the functionality of health coalitions. Future studies will be conducted to examine the association between health coalition functional capacity, local health departments' community health assessment and planning efforts, and changes in community health status.
Resident-Driven Quality Improvement Project in Perioperative Hand Hygiene
Authors: Pimentel Marc Philip T. , Feng Aiden Yuzhe , Piszcz Regina , Urman Richard D. , Lekowski Robert W. , Nascimben Luigino
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The goal of the project was to improve hand hygiene compliance in the perioperative setting while involving anesthesia residents in quality improvement. To achieve this goal, we facilitated direct trainee participation on patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. The result was a project for perioperative hand hygiene improvement conceived and led by anesthesiology residents.

Methods

Anesthesiology residents contributed project ideas and participated in problem-based learning discussions to develop several interventions for improving perioperative hand hygiene compliance. Interventions included electronic and laminated posters, reminder cards, monthly aggregated performance feedback, and a simulation-based hand hygiene workshop. Monthly hand hygiene compliance data were gathered during unannounced observations for a 29-month period. Run chart analysis and χ2 test were used to determine the impact of these interventions on compliance rates.

Results

A total of 1122 hand hygiene observations were made for 29 months. Run chart analysis showed a nonrandom shift and increasing trend during the postintervention period. The baseline hand hygiene rate was 68% (95% CI [65%–72%], n = 661), which increased to 79% post-intervention (95% CI [76%–83%], n = 461, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our resident-led hand hygiene program used a multifaceted approach to drive sustained increases in perioperative hand hygiene compliance, while directly engaging house staff in quality improvement initiatives.
Reactive oxygen therapy: a novel therapy in soft tissue infection
Authors: Dryden Matthew
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

The global burden of disease in skin and soft tissue lesions is enormous. Many chronic, poorly healing lesions get treated with antibiotics despite the lack of evidence for long-term antibiotics. There is a global antibiotic resistance crisis driven largely by inappropriate use of large volumes of antibiotics. One solution is to reduce the selection pressure on bacteria by reducing the volume of antibiotic use in medicine, agriculture and the environment. There are few novel antimicrobials. One of the only novel agents to reach clinical use is one using reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxygen radicals, as an antimicrobial mechanism.

Recent findings

ROS can be delivered to the site of infection in various formats. ROS is highly antimicrobial against Gram-positive and negative bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also prevents and breaks down biofilm. These functions make ROS highly suitable for chronic inflammatory conditions, where antibiotics are frequently overused and relatively ineffective: chronic wounds, ulcers and burns; but also possibly mucosal infections in the respiratory and urinary tracts and in prosthetic device infection. ROS could also have an important role in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.

Early clinical data support ROS treatment in skin and soft tissue lesions to reduce bacterial bioburden and biofilm in critical colonization and in preventing surgical site infection, although further trials of ROS in soft tissue infection would be helpful and research in ROS use at other clinical sites might support many novel clinical indications.
Duration of pneumonia therapy and the role of biomarkers
Authors: Kaziani Katerina , Sotiriou Adamantia , Dimopoulos George
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

Increasing antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide phenomenon that is threatening public health. Lower respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity that contribute to antibiotic consumption and thus the emergence of multidrug-resistant microbial strains. The goal of shortening antibiotic regimens’ duration in common bacterial infections has been prioritized by antimicrobial stewardship programs as an action against this problem.

Recent findings

Data coming from randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews support the shortening of antimicrobial regimens in community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Short schedules have been proven at least as effective as long ones in terms of antimicrobial-free days and clinical cure. Procalcitonin-based algorithms have been validated as well tolerated and cost-effective tools for the duration of pneumonia therapy reduction.

Shortening the duration of antibiotic regimens in pneumonia seems a reasonable strategy for reducing selective pressure driving antimicrobial resistance and costs provided that clinical cure is guaranteed. Procalcitonin-based protocols have been proven essentially helpful in this direction.

Video abstract

http://links.lww.com/COID/A17
The role of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in skin and soft tissue infections
Authors: Bassetti Matteo , Carnelutti Alessia , Righi Elda
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major public health issue worldwide over the last years. MRSA is frequently implicated in the development of skin and soft tissue infections, leading to significant increases in morbidity, mortality and overall healthcare costs.

Recent findings

In order to face the threat of MRSA, major changes in clinical management of skin and soft tissue infections are required. The identification of populations at risk for the acquisition of infections due to MRSA, together with the improvement of the diagnostic techniques, is paramount. Moreover, a number of new antimicrobials with activity against MRSA have been recently developed and approved for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, however, the use of the new drugs in the wide clinical practice remains limited.

We reviewed the current epidemiology of MRSA in skin and soft tissue infections, with particular focus on implications for clinical management. The potential role of new antibiotic options against MRSA infections is also discussed.
Cultural intelligence and state suspicion: attachment styles as moderators
Authors: Luu Tuan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

State suspicion is a suspension in employees’ cognitive and motivational drives toward the organization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of leaders’ cultural intelligence (CQ) in mitigating employees’ state suspicion. An understanding was also sought on moderating roles of employees’ attachment styles on the negative relationship between CQ and state suspicion.

Design/methodology/approach

Harvested from respondents from multinational software companies in Vietnam business context, the data were analyzed through hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The data provided evidence for the negative effect of leaders’ CQ on employees’ state suspicion. Employee attachment styles were also found to play the moderating roles for that negative relationship.

Originality/value

This research advances suspicion research stream through its convergence with CQ research stream.
Grey relational analysis on the land-sea economy in China
Authors: Jin Xue , Yin Kedong , Li Xuemei
Published: January 2017

Purpose

On the basis of the time series of the land area economy and marine economy data during 1996-2015, the authors study the relationship between land area economy and marine economy, and divides the relational schema of the land-sea economy by doing causality test of land-sea economy, grey correlation degree analysis and relational schema analysis of the land-sea economy in coastal provinces and cities. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses methods such as Granger causality test and grey correlation degree analysis to preliminarily demonstrate the relationship of land-sea economy.

Findings

With Granger causality test, we can draw that there is a causal relationship between the land area economy and marine economy. Further with the relational schema analysis, we can draw that the relationship between marine economy and land economy in 11 coastal provinces and cities can be summed up into four kinds of patterns such as land-sea weak type, land-sea strong type, sea strong land weak type and land strong sea weak type.

Practical implications

For the government and related disaster management departments, when policies are made and relevant measures are taken in the process of planning economic layout of land-sea economy, similar policies or measures may be taken for the same type of provinces, in order to improve administrative efficiency.

Originality/value

The development and utilization between land economy and marine economy has a certain contradiction, which must be balanced to realize the balanced development of land economy and marine economy. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively assess the grey relational analysis of land-sea economy, in order to provide the basis for reasonable policies.
Explanation of terms of grey forecasting models
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Yang Yingjie
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the terms of grey forecasting models and techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The definitions of basic terms about grey forecasting models and techniques are presented one by one.

Findings

The reader could know the basic explanation about the important terms about various grey forecasting models and techniques from this paper.

Practical implications

Many of the authors’ colleagues thought that unified definitions of key terms would be beneficial for both the readers and the authors.

Originality/value

It is a fundamental work to standardise all the definitions of terms for a new discipline. It is also propitious to spread and universal of grey system theory.
Dynamic circular causation model in poverty alleviation
Authors: Mariyanti Tatik , Mahfudz Akhmad Affandi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to unveil the impact of government policy, socio-economic variable, Zakat Infaq Shadaqah (ZIS) and financing of Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMT) toward severe problem of poverty in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers dynamic circular causation model to produce proper solution on Indonesian style of poverty that hitherto remain unresolved.

Findings

All variables including ZIS, government policy, socio-economic variable and BMT financing have an impact toward poverty reduction.

Research limitations/implications

This paper confined to the scope of poverty that occurred in Indonesia only, and therefore all variables and literatures derived from Indonesian pedigree on poverty.

Practical implications

This paper implies that government policy will be shifted toward focusing on extending subsidy for rural society to uplift their income by involving in more real sector.

Originality/value

This paper considered to be scarce as focusing only for Indonesian style of poverty by using dynamic circular causation model as a solution.
How does working capital management affect the profitability of Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises?
Authors: Tran Hien , Abbott Malcolm , Jin Yap Chee
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Well-designed and implemented working capital management (WCM) will encourage positive returns for a business and establish the firm’s value, while ineffective management will undoubtedly lead to failure of the enterprise. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In business, fixed capital and working capital are the two main forms of capital used. The current assets used in the business as working capital for day-to-day operations include raw materials, work in progress, finished goods, bills receivable, cash and bank balance. This paper analyses the relationship between WCM and profitability in Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) after integration into the global economy.

Findings

The results suggest that SME owner-managers can increase their firm’s profitability by reducing the number of days of accounts receivable, accounts inventories and accounts payable to an optimal minimum. In addition, a robustness check of this study indicates that high profitability will be achieved, with an optimal level of working capital investment in accounts inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable.

Originality/value

No work of this sort has been applied to Vietnamese circumstances. It is also rare in SE Asia more generally.
Export promotion programmes and SMEs’ performance
Authors: Haddoud Mohamed Yacine , Jones Paul , Newbery Robert
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the network promotion role of export promotion programmes in driving small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a dual institutional and network-based approaches to internationalisation, the study tests an integrative model that explores the mediating role of SMEs’ relationships in the link between government export promotion programmes (both informational and experiential forms) and export performance. The model was tested using a sample of 160 UK small and medium exporter firms. The data were analysed through a structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The study finds that whilst both informational and experiential export promotion programmes improved all forms of SMEs’ relationships, only experiential forms had an indirect effect on export performance. Further, only relationships with foreign buyers had a positive impact on export performance.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research provide directions for export promotion organisations in targeting their network support provision and for SMEs in utilising such a support. The study calls for similar research in different contexts to validate the proposed model.

Originality/value

This study brings novel findings to the extant literature by conceptualising and validating the importance of the “network promotion” element of export promotion programmes.
Linking entrepreneurial orientation and small service firm performance through marketing resources and marketing capability
Authors: Sok Phyra , Snell Lan , Lee Wai Jin (Thomas) , Sok Keo Mony
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The literature establishes complex relationships between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and performance, with mixed findings suggesting the variability of the magnitude of the relationship between the two. Some studies report a positive relationship, some negative, while some report an insignificant relationship between EO and performance. These conflicting findings suggest that the EO-performance relationship is more complex than a simple main-effects-only relationship. The literature offers two distinct approaches – integrating moderating or mediation variables in advancing the EO-performance relationship. The purpose of this paper is to extend current knowledge by examining underlying processes through which EO contributes to performance and the specific conditions under which this process is facilitated.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses the authors chose small service firms in Australia. Industry representation included: accommodation and food services; health care services; rental, hiring and real estate services; transport, postal and warehousing; arts and recreation services; retail trade; construction and training services; and professional, scientific and technical services. The services sector offers a unique opportunity to analyze variances in entrepreneurial engagement and organizational outcomes given the competitive intensity within the service sector which requires firms to engage in venturing, renewal and innovation. The proposed hypotheses were tested through a hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

This study finds the support for the mediation effect of marketing capability on the EO-performance relationship. Critically, this study also finds that marketing resources moderates on the indirect effect of EO on performance via marketing capability. The findings supporting both the mediation and moderation effects of marketing capability and marketing resources on the EO-performance relationship (moderated mediation model) suggests that greater insight into how EO influences small service firm performance can be achieved through considering in combination with other firm-level constructs (marketing capability and marketing resources in this study).

Originality/value

It addresses the call by prior studies to link the EO construct to theory by embedding marketing resources and marketing capabilities in the EO-performance relationship. Importantly, by accounting for both mediation and moderation effects the authors provide a more complete picture of the EO-performance relationship that highlights the mediating role of marketing capability and the moderating role of marketing resources. This approach helps to reconcile the critical but separate directions proposed by prior studies in advancing the EO-performance relationship.
Delight and the grateful customer: beyond joy and surprise
Authors: Ball Joan , Barnes Donald C.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to combine the evolving fields of customer delight and positive psychology to investigate a broader conceptualization of customer delight. Furthermore, to investigate antecedent variables that impact this broader conceptualization.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employed structural equation modeling in a hedonic context.

Findings

Key findings indicate that aside from joy and surprise, gratitude also has a positive impact on customer delight. Furthermore, psychological sense of brand community (PSBC) and transcendent customer experiences (TCE) were shown to positively impact the proximal antecedents of customer delight.

Research limitations/implications

Extending the domain of customer delight beyond joy and surprise contributes to the theoretical discussion on what customer delight represents to the service firm. Further, this research identifies new theoretical relationships between PSBC/TCE and customer delight.

Practical implications

By offering the broader conceptualization of customer delight, this research contributes to the discussion of whether delight is possible or even profitable. Namely, by moving past joy/surprise, this research suggests that managing gratitude can be a strategic lever that the modern service firm can utilize.

Originality/value

This is the first research to evaluate gratitude as an antecedent to customer delight. Further, by combining positive psychology and delight research this research identifies new predictors of positive customer experiences.
Enhancing service-for-service benefits: potential opportunity or pipe dream?
Authors: Dean Alison , Alhothali Ghada Talat
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate service-for-service benefits emerging from co-creation in everyday banking. It does so by identifying factors that constitute the joint provider/customer co-creation platform, distinguishing them from factors that facilitate customers’ independent value creation; and exploring benefits and potential opportunities for each party.

Design/methodology/approach

Insights were gained by using a qualitative approach involving 33 face-to-face interviews with bank managers (15) and their customers (18) in Saudi Arabia. Content analysis was performed on the data and the two sets of views integrated to compare the reality of service-for-service with theoretical assumptions.

Findings

The analysis identified 65 topics, clustered to 12 themes. Three themes represented joint, collaborative activity (problem solving, relationship building, and knowledge and learning) whilst other themes identified facilitation actions by banks. Key opportunities to increase mutual value (service-for-service) emerge from extending interaction via the co-creation platform but additional benefits from these opportunities are not currently realized by participants. The authors thereby note the potential of a service focus but suggest that the locus of value creation will not readily shift from the provider to a collaborative process of co-creation.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative nature of the study limits generalizability. However, the authors expect that the hierarchy of service-for-service will be meaningful in other contexts. Future research may use it as a starting point for identifying innovations from co-creation, how actors realize and measure service-for-service, and how different business models may strengthen value opportunities.

Practical implications

The findings provide managers with first, three areas of emphasis to gain and extend mutual service-for-service from direct interactions in everyday banking transactions. Second, the study emphasizes resource characteristics that will facilitate value enhancement for firms and customers by recognition of barriers to collaborative actions, and approaches for pursuit of service-for-service.

Originality/value

This study establishes the joint and essential firm/customer co-creation platform in retail banking and distinguishes the platform from other customer value-facilitation actions. The authors integrate the findings with previous literature and present a conceptual framework for levels of service-for-service in exchange. This framework shows a hierarchy of key benefits for providers and customers, and highlights increasing complexities that hinder the reality of achieving service-for-service opportunities arising from the joint co-creation platform.
Digitalization challenging institutional logics
Authors: Holmlund Maria , Strandvik Tore , Lähteenmäki Ilkka
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the mental models of top executive team members in a selected retail bank. The focus is on how each executive team member makes sense of the market situation and changes with regard to customers and customer-bank interactions in the current situation where earlier bank practices are at risk of becoming obsolete.

Design/methodology/approach

All members in the executive team were interviewed individually in August 2014 on how they reason about challenges in the service business. The study uses an abductive research approach.

Findings

The mental models were largely dominated by internal bank issues, and adjusting the services to changing customer preferences was considered a main challenge. The research analysis showed that the executive team members identified the same business challenges, but their interpretations of the meanings and implications of the challenges were different. Mental models tend to be hidden and stable and are seldom explicitly elaborated. There was a distinct spread in mental models in terms of content. Limited focus was on customers as the starting point for business development and renewal.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in the retail banking setting, which is currently affected by many changes. The study, however, was limited to executive members in one bank.

Practical implications

The foremost implications of this study relate to sensitising executive members and teams to their mental models and exposing different core challenges related to customers and customer relationships in the retail banking sector.

Originality/value

The value of the study is it sheds light on top executives’ prospective sensemaking of current business challenges by addressing individual mental models. The study represents a novel approach in the strategic service management literature.
Fruit shells ofCamellia oleiferaAbel as natural colourants for pigment printing of cotton fabric
Authors: Nakpathom Monthon , Somboon Buppha , Narumol Nootsara , Mongkholrattanasit Rattanaphol
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The present study aims to focus on the feasibility of using an aqueous extract from the fruit shell ofCamellia oleiferaAbel as a source of natural colourant in printing-paste preparation for pigment printing of cotton fabric. The effects of pre- and post-mordanting with three common metallic mordants, that is AlK(SO4)2, CuSO4and FeSO4on colour yield and colour fastness properties are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The printing paste was prepared by mixing the concentratedCamellia oleiferaAbel fruit shell extract solution with commercially available synthetic thickener and binder. The fabric sample was printed with the prepared printing paste using a flat-screen printing technique. To determine the effects of pre- and post-mordanting, AlK(SO4)2, CuSO4and FeSO4mordant aqueous solutions with various concentrations were applied using the pad-dry technique. Comparisons between printing with and without mordants were evaluated in terms of colour strength (K/Svalues) and colour fastness to washing, light, crocking and perspiration.

Findings

Without the mordants, the printed fabric had a yellowish brown shade with acceptable colour fastness properties, that is fair to good wash fastness, moderate light fastness, good to very good crocking fastness and fair to good perspiration fastness. The use of mordants, especially CuSO4and FeSO4, not only enhanced colour strength but also imparted different colours to the fabric. Compared to the unmordanted fabrics, colour fastness properties were mostly comparable or improved in the mordanted fabrics depending on the type and concentration of mordants.

Research limitations/implications

Although in the case of CuSO4the light fastness was increased to a good to very good level, it is recommended that the final print be produced with a concentration of less than 0.125 gL−1to yield the print with the residual amount of Cu metal under the limit, that is less than 50 ppm as regulated by the Oeko-Tex®standard.

Practical implications

The obtained prints fromCamellia oleiferaAbel fruit shell extract provided shades with satisfactory colour fastness to washing, light, crocking and perspiration. The extract fromCamellia oleiferaAbel fruit shell has the potential to be used as an alternative to synthetic dye in the textile industry.

Originality/value

The use ofCamellia oleiferaAbel fruit shells, which are considered as abundant byproducts of tea seed oil production, as natural colouring agents for pigment printing of cotton fabric has been reported for the first time. It will minimise the environmental impact of this waste and create more valuable textile products.
Formulation of nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion via miniemulsion polymerization for application in white inkjet ink
Authors: Zhang Liping , Tian Anli , Wang Chunxia , Bai Fushun , Fu Shaohai
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prepare nanoscale copolymer-silicon dioxide (SiO2) dispersion for formulating textile printing white ink.

Design/methodology/approach

Nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion was prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. The miniemulsion formulation was optimized for preparing stable SiO2/O/W miniemulsion and nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion. The nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 was investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal gravity (DTG) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of white inks from this colorant was further investigated.

Findings

Nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 had a core-shell structure with about 45 nm encapsulated copolymer layer when it was synthesized under optimal miniemulsion formulation 60 per cent mass ratio of styrene (St) to KH570-SiO2, 5.0 per cent hexadecane to St and 2.0 per cent concentration of DNS-86. The nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 white ink had high thermal and centrifugal stability with high purity and color fastness.

Research limitations/implications

The miniemulsion polymerization conditions required a careful control before favorable results could be achieved.

Practical implications

The nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion and white ink prepared by this method showed excellent stability. This research could accelerate the textiles inkjet printing application.

Originality/value

The reactive stabilizer DNS-86 is innovatively introduced into the miniemulsion polymerization to improve the stability of the nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 dispersion. The white ink was formulated from nanoscale copolymer-SiO2 to improve the fastness of the printed fabrics.
Effect of humidity on copper phthalocyanine films deposited at different gravity conditions
Authors: Karimov Khasan S. , Ahmad Zubair , Fatima Noshin , Ahmed Muhammad Mansoor , Abid Muhammad
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to study the effects of humidity on the electrical properties of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin films deposited at different gravity conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Surface-type samples were fabricated on glass substrates with preliminary-deposited copper electrodes. The CuPc solution was prepared in benzene. The thin films of CuPc were deposited on these substrates at diverse gravity conditions by drop-casting and centrifugation at 1 × g and 70 × g, respectively. Impedance and capacitance of the fabricated devices were measured against the different relative humidity ranging from 32 to 98 per cent.

Findings

The impedance and the capacitance of the CuPc film were found to be dependent on the ambient humidity levels (32-98 per cent) and the gravity conditions (1 × g and 70 × g) opted during the fabrication process.

Research limitations/implications

The centrifugation technique can potentially be used in the instrumentation industry for the fabrication of humidity sensors.

Practical implications

The results of the investigations can potentially be used in the instrumentation and optoelectronics industry for the fabrication of humidity sensors.

Originality/value

CuPc films were deposited from a solution in benzene using drop-casting and centrifugation. The electrical properties of the films were found to be dependent on film fabrication conditions and ambient humidity levels. Growth-dependent electrical properties of the CuPc films can be explained by considering their structure.