bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new asymmetrical mass distribution method on the analysis of universal “force-sensing” model for 3-DOF translational parallel manipulator
Authors: Yu Lingtao , Song Huajian , Wang Tao , Wang Zhengyu , Sun Liqiang , Du Zhijiang
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The characteristic of static is quite important especially for the manipulator with force feedback. This paper aims to improve the traditional static model by considering the limitations such as lacking of versatility and ignoring gravity of links. For this purpose, a new asymmetric mass distribution method on the analysis of universal “force-sensing” model has been put forward to overcome the limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through the forces and torques analysis of every link and the moving platform, the static model of 3-RUU manipulator is acquired. Then, based on the physical meaning analysis of every part in the static model of 3-RUU manipulator, a new asymmetric mass distribution method on the analysis of universal “force-sensing” model can be obtained.

Findings

– The correctness of the static model of 3-RUU manipulator is verified by simulation results based on Pro/Engineer software and Adams software. Furthermore, experiment results based on a manipulator similar to the Omega.3 manipulator indicate that the universal “force-sensing” model can be applicable to the above manipulator.

Originality/value

– A new asymmetric mass distribution method on the analysis of universal static mathematical model has been put forward. Based on physical meaning of the above method, the “force-sensing” model can be established quickly and it owns versatility, which can be applicable to the 3-RUU manipulator, the Omega.3 parallel manipulator and other similar manipulators with force feedback. In addition, it can improve the accuracy of the “force-sensing” model to a great extent.
Customer perceptions of the value of new packaging technologies
Authors: Hakola Jenni
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the value formation and value perceptions of brand owners and retailers in the new digital packaging technology context. The focus of this study concerns the potential of new packaging technologies to offer new value dimensions compared with those offered by current technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were gathered via group interviews conducted in 11 organizations at the brand owner and retail levels. The interviewees consisted of marketing and packaging professionals. A grand tour method and a customer value determination (CVD) method were used as analysis tools.

Findings

– This study suggests a value category in the business-to-business context classifying the value drivers of packaging technologies at the product-, service-, and relationship-related levels. Value consists of sub-elements of both positive benefits and negative sacrifices.

Practical implications

– This article provides practical implications for organizations both to increase the benefits received through packaging technologies and decrease unavoidable sacrifices.

Originality/value

– This study extends the rather scarce knowledge pertaining to value creation and perception in the novel technology context. The value categorization offers a necessary complement to the existing literature concerning value in the business-to-business field.
Prophets and losses: the predictive impulse
Authors: J. Pech Richard
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The topic of forecasting and our (in)ability to predict the future should be regularly revisited as our memories seem incredibly short and forgiving of inaccurate and false predictions, as well as our failure to predict what should have been obvious. Forecasting is a critical stage of the strategizing process. Why are we still getting it wrong?

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a conceptual approach, this paper warns against placing too much faith in our predictive (in)abilities and attempts to address the question of why we continue to seek out and trust a flawed industry that profits from false prophecy.

Findings

– Humans have always found comfort in soothsayers and mystics. Where once they came in the guise of tribal witch doctors, today many appear as economists, strategists, and consultants. Our need for security is readily exploited by people claiming to know the future. We receive pleasure from the act of cooperation and therefore prefer to believe rather than disbelieve. We place faith in myths rather than facts, and we fail to see what in hindsight should have been obvious.

Originality/value

– This paper acts as a warning. Forecasting is about identifying patterns and themes and designing multiple response scenarios. Myths and magic have no place in the modern business world, and those who claim to “know” the future are really only speculating or lying – no one can “see” the future. Strategists can only reflect on the past, speculate in an informed manner, and design multiple alternative responses. The anomalous event, the pattern breaker, the surprise, will always be with us. The best we can do is to prepare for what might occur, and operate on the basis that just because something has been with us for a long time, it may not be with us forever.
Vendor selection strategy for IT outsourcing: the weighted-criteria evaluation technique
Authors: Watjatrakul Boonlert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Most firms select their information technology outsourcing (ITO) vendors based on the two methods of the weighted-criteria evaluation technique – the “qualification score plus the lowest bid price for the highest price score (QS-LBHPS)” and the “qualification score plus the average bid price for the middle price score (QS-ABMPS).” This paper aims to understand whether these two methods provide the same or different results of vendor selection and how the proportional weights of a vendor's qualification and bid price affect the vendor selection results under the two methods.

Design/methodology/approach

–In total, 1,000 experimental tests were carried out using the developed spreadsheet template to examine vendor selection results of the two methods (QS-LBHPS and QS-ABMPS) and compare the vendor selection results under three conditions of vendors’ qualification and price weights. A correspondence analysis was also used to determine the proximal relationships among the selection results of the weighted criteria technique under the comparable methods.

Findings

– The results indicate that, when using the two methods of the weighted criteria technique for a vendor selection, the selection results are significantly correspondent. In addition, the proportions of qualification and price weights affect the selection results under the two methods. The different proportions of qualification and price weights under the two methods yield the same selection results rather than different results.

Originality/value

– This study fills the gap in ITO literatures concerning the vendor selection strategy. No empirical studies have been undertaken to compare the results of vendor selection under the two methods of the weighted-criteria evaluation technique. The findings enable a firm's selection team to apply the weighted-criteria evaluation technique effectively and realize that vendor selection results are altered based on the predefined proportions of qualification and price weights.
Performance expectancy and use of enterprise architecture: training as an intervention
Authors: T. Hazen Benjamin , Kung LeeAnn , G. Cegielski Casey , Allison Jones-Farmer L.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Enterprise architecture (EA) aligns information systems with business processes to enable firms to reach their strategic objectives and, when effectively employed by organizations, can lead to enhanced levels of performance. However, while many firms may adopt EA, it is often not used extensively. The purpose of this paper is to examine how performance expectancy (PE) and training affect the degree to which organizations use EA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employed a survey method to gather data from IT professionals, senior managers, and consultants who work within organizations that have adopted EA. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used to analyze the research model and test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The paper found PE to be a significant predictor of EA use. In addition, training is also shown to enhance use of EA while also playing a mediating role within the relationship between PE and use of EA.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited by the focus only on training as an intervention. Other mediators and/or moderators such as top management support and organization culture may also play an important role and should be examined in future studies. Nonetheless, the study demonstrates the critical role that training can play in facilitating widespread use of EA within organizations.

Practical implications

– Widespread use is a critical success factor for organizations that want to gain the maximum possible benefit from EA. To achieve extensive use, the study suggests that organizations that adopt EA should consider implementing a formal and robust education and training program.

Originality/value

– This study extends the research on information technology training by examining the role of training as an intervention within the technology acceptance paradigm. The paper also contributes to the literature regarding post-adoption innovation diffusion by demonstrating the efficacy of organizational training in promoting widespread usage.
The impact of identity on anxiety during wiki editing in higher education
Authors: Richard Cowan Benjamin , A. Jack Mervyn
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Although wikis are common in higher education, little is known about the wiki user experience in these contexts and how system characteristics impact such experiences. The purpose of this paper is to explore experimentally the hypothesis that changing the anonymity of identity when editing wikis will impact significantly on user editing anxiety and that this may be dependent on the type of edit being conducted.

Design/methodology/approach

– This hypothesis was explored using a controlled experiment study whereby users were given excerpts to include in their own words on a wiki site used for a psychology course. Users edited the wiki anonymously, using a pseudonym relevant to the context (a matriculation number) and using a full named identity. Users were also either asked to add content to the wiki or to delete and replace content on the wiki site.

Findings

– The paper found that users experienced significantly less anxiety when editing anonymously compared to when editing with a pseudonym or full name and that the type of edit being conducted did not impact the anxiety felt.

Originality/value

– The research highlights that the effects of anonymity discussed are also in operation in a wiki context, a more fundamentally anonymous context compared to blogs, bulletin boards or general computer-mediated communication tools.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for schizophrenia in a forensic mental health setting
Authors: Williams Emma , Ferrito Martha , Tapp James
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia in community and general psychiatric settings has been widely investigated and its practice recommended in primary and secondary care. In secure forensic mental health services the evidence is less established. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of group CBT for schizophrenia in a high secure hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 27 male forensic patients completed a manualised CBT group and were compared on primary and secondary outcomes to patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU). Primary outcomes were positive and negative symptoms as measured by the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). A secondary outcome was interpersonal functioning as measured by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-64).

Findings

– CBT participants showed improvement on negative symptoms; affective flattening, alogia, anhedonia and avolition; in comparison to participants in TAU. CBT participants also showed reductions in delusions and hallucinations on the SAPS but not the PSYRATS. TAU participants improved on positive symptoms as measured by the PSYRATS. CBT participants showed reductions in overall interpersonal problems, and most notably in being socially inhibited and self-sacrificing. No iatrogenic effects of treatment were found; improvements in depression anxiety and stress were reported by group completers, which contrasted to experiences of the TAU group.

Research limitations/implications

– Absence of random allocation to CBP or TAU groups retains the risk of recruitment bias. Findings are preliminary given the sample size. Multiple outcome assessments increase risk of a type I error.

Practical implications

– CBT for schizophrenia can be effective with clients in secure forensic mental health settings. Improvements in negative symptoms and interpersonal functioning appear to be particular gains. Self-report measures might be subject to specific demand characteristics in such settings.

Originality/value

– The evaluation includes a comparator group in a high secure setting, which is typically absent in reported evidence for this population (Blackburn, 2004). The study also investigated changes in interpersonal functioning, which has previously been noted as an important but absent outcome in CBT for psychosis (Haddock et al., 2009). Iatrogenic outcomes were also considered in the evaluation to ensure no adverse effects were experienced from treatment.
Measuring customer experience in banks: scale development and validation
Authors: Garg Ruchi , Rahman Zillur , Qureshi M.N.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to measure customer experience in Indian banks. This study examines the 14 factors of customer experience and identifies their impact on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, psychometric scale development procedure is followed comprising with the steps of item generation and selection, scale refinement and scale validation. A one-way ANOVA test is applied to identify the relationship between 14 experience factors and demographics of respondents.

Findings

– The findings of the study present a 41-item 14 factor reliable and valid customer experience scale among which “convenience” appears as the most significant among all the factors.

Research limitations/implications

– This study concentrates on a sector-specific scale, whereas a generalized scale that can be applied in other service sectors should be developed. In comparison with previous studies, the results of the current study provide a more absolute coverage and understanding of various touch points used in measuring customer experience in banks.

Practical implications

– By this reliable and valid scale, bank managers can identify the current and expected experiences of the customers and can build up effective strategies for the utmost satisfaction of the customers.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study represents the foremost studies for developing a validated tool to measure the experiences of banks' customers.
Using portfolio optimisation models to enhance decision making and prediction
Authors: Chau Li Wan , Wu Yue , Ojiako Udechukwu
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse and compare the performances of portfolio optimisation models including Markowitz's mean-variance model (MV model), Konno and Yamazaki's mean-absolute deviation portfolio optimisation model (MAD model), Young's minimax portfolio model and the VaR model.

Design/methodology/approach

– Historical data on 43 constituent shares listed on the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI) covering a four-year period are obtained. The paper then tests the performance of each model under different scenarios and against different sets of historical data.

Findings

– The paper finds that different levels of required annual returns impact on portfolio composition, historical data have a major impact on the determination of portfolio composition and the level of required annual return impacts on how optimisation models perform.

Practical implications

– The paper posits that with a comprehensive understanding of the performance of each of these performance optimisation models, investors may be able to develop a better understanding of how to adjust investment risk strategies, thus preventing serious losses.

Originality/value

– There are two major points of value to this paper. In the first place, the paper presents an original review of portfolio optimisation models. Second, using “real” data, the paper utilises five different scenarios to test the performance of each model under different situations.
Academic library consortia in the Philippines: hanging in the balance
Authors: Maria Balenbin Fresnido Ana , Marmol Yap Joseph
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The concept of academic library consortium emerged in the Philippines in the 1970s evidenced by the successive establishment of three consortia namely, the Academic Libraries Book Acquisition Services Association (ALBASA) in 1973, the Inter-Institutional Consortium (IIC) (now South Manila Inter-Institutional Consortium) in 1974, and the Mendiola Consortium (MC) in 1975. This paper aims to find out the experiences and status of selected academic library consortia in the Philippines, namely, the Academic Libraries Book Acquisitions Systems Association, Inc. (ALBASA), the American Corners (also known as American Studies Resource Center (ASRC) in some areas), the Aurora Boulevard Consortium Libraries, Inc. (ABC), the Davao Colleges and University Network (DACUN), the Inter University Consortium (IUC), the Intramuros Library Consortium (ILC), the Mendiola Consortium (MC), the Ortigas Center Library Consortium (OCLC), and the South Manila Inter institutional Consortium (SMI-IC) specifically in terms of the objectives of the different consortia, the activities they undertake and how such relate to the set objectives, the benefits they have enjoyed or continue to enjoy, the issues they have encountered as well as success/failure factors experienced by libraries in joining the different consortia.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample was derived from the review of literature, which also served as basis to come up with the list of existing academic library consortia. The respondents were selected based on the Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) directory. Communication was sent via email, telephone, scheduled personal interview and social networking sites (e.g. Facebook). A total of 13 out of 23 (56.52 percent) respondents accomplished the survey questionnaires which were distributed online and manually. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the results.

Findings

– Results of the study revealed that the role academic library consortia play in the development of academic libraries is crucial particularly in the promotion of professional development and resource sharing. As technology greatly influences the way libraries do things, the varying level of technological development among consortium member libraries confirmed to be a major challenge being faced by them today. While majority of the surveyed consortia assessed themselves to be successful, it is evident that there is lack of congruence between the consortia's objectives and undertakings.

Originality/value

– The paper is a modest contribution to the dearth of literature in Philippine academic library consortia. It also is the first study conducted measuring the success of selected academic consortia and identifying the factors contributing to their success/failure.
Shared collections to shared storage: the CARM1 and CARM2 print repositories
Authors: Jilovsky Cathie , Genoni Paul
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a case study of the CARM (CAVAL Archival and Research Materials Centre) Centre, a print repository owned and managed by CAVAL, an Australian consortium of academic libraries, based in Melbourne, Australia. The history, business models and operations of the initial module, CARM1, which commenced operations in 1996 and the recently completed module, CARM2 are described. This is preceded by a review of literature addressing the issue of retained or ceded ownership of stored items, and is followed by a discussion of the trend from a shared collection to shared storage within a shared facility.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is descriptive and explanatory. CARM1 was designed for both operations and space utilisation to be managed as economically as possible. This was achieved by storing items in a high density configuration and the collection, now known as the CARM Shared Collection, being owned by the CAVAL consortium. In exploring options for an expanded facility in 2007, a shared storage facility was determined to best meet the qualitative needs of member libraries. This option minimised the set-up and operational costs and required the lowest initial capital. CAVAL constructed a second storage facility, CARM2 which began operations in late 2010.

Findings

– The CARM Centre demonstrates that variant models for storage configurations and collection ownership can co-exist and meet the differing needs of member libraries within one facility. The need for off-site storage and the terms and conditions under which member libraries are willing to accept it differ widely. CAVAL's approach has been, and continues to be, that each member library makes its own decision and that CAVAL's role to facilitate those decisions while retaining an approach that supports broad-based solutions, be this in the form of a fully integrated shared collection, or a co-ordinated and carefully managed shared storage facility.

Originality/value

– This paper will be of interest and value to other organisations or consortia with an interest in the development, business models, implementation and management of shared print repositories that respond to the needs and circumstances of their member libraries.
Aligning the co-creation project portfolio with company strategy
Authors: DeFillippi Robert , Roser Thorsten
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– An important task for all strategy leaders contemplating the use of co-creation is to determine how well the numerous co-creation project-design choices available to them align with their strategic priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to implement co-creation, firms need to assess how their projects or initiatives support their strategic commitments and priorities. To this end, the authors offer managers a practical, easy-to-use assessment framework.

Findings

– Executives should consider their approach to co-creation in terms of crafting and managing a portfolio of initiatives to be categorized and managed differently according to their strategic significance – high, medium or low.

Practical implications

– A six-question assessment framework was inductively derived from an extensive literature review (113 articles) focusing on practices associated with co-creation and stakeholder involvement. Though they do not represent an exhaustive list of categories for assessment, they do, however, identify strategically important choices involved in designing co-creation ventures.

Originality/value

– The six-question assessment framework is applied to the case of the Xerox-P&G co-innovation partnership, which illustrates how such significant co-creation initiatives might be profiled, and their main design choices analyzed.
Leading in the connected era
Authors: Berman Saul , Korsten Peter
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Leaders are recognizing that the current connected era is fundamentally changing how customers, employees and partners engage, according to an IBM survey of CEOs and senior public sector leaders from around the globe.

Design/methodology/approach

– Between September 2011 and January 2012, IBM leaders met face to face with leaders worldwide to better understand their future plans and challenges in an increasingly connected economy. The CEOs surveyed lead organizations of different sizes in 64 countries and 18 industries The analysis also sought to understand differences between responses of CEOs in financially outperforming organizations and those in underperforming organizations.

Findings

– Key survey findings include: CEOs are creating more open and collaborative cultures – encouraging employees to connect, learn from each other and thrive in a world of rapid change; the emphasis on openness and collaboration is even higher among outperforming organizations; to engage customers as individuals, CEOs are investing in customer insights more than any other functional area; and extensive partnering is providing the edge CEOs need to take on radical innovation.

Practical implications

– Three suggested initiatives to promote superior performance are: embrace connectivity and openness; engage customers as individuals; and amplify innovation with partnerships.

Originality/value

– Explains that to create greater value, CEOs must take advantage of newly enabled connections with and among employees, customers and partners. Shows that to lead in this unfamiliar territory amid constant change, CEOs will need to learn from their own networks. They will need to assemble those networks like portfolios – with generational, geographic, institutional diversity. Then, they will need to help their organizations do the same.
E-government implementation in Zambia – prospects
Authors: Bwalya Kelvin Joseph , Du Plessis Tanya , Rensleigh Chris
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The article aims to investigate the potential of successfully implementing e-government in Zambia by considering citizens ' and businesses ' perceptions on e-government. Further, the study investigates what interventions have been put in place to encourage e-government development. The motivation of the study is that despite huge investments in e-government, there has been relatively slow adoption rendering the said interventions not to culminate into meaningful socio-economic value prepositions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the mixed methods research (MMR) approach, the study intends to identify factors influencing the adoption of e-government solutions in Zambia both at the individual and organizational level. The questionnaire utilized in this research is informed by the technology acceptance model (TAM) as well as the institutional theory and the Giddens ' structuration theory. Spearman ' sρwas used to determine concurrent and construct validity of the data collection instruments.

Findings

– The study posits that a lot needs to be done if e-government were to succeed in Zambia. A majority of the research respondents are not aware of e-government implementation in Zambia. It is desirable that e-government should be implemented with due reference to local contextual characteristics. If factors negatively influencing e-government growth in Zambia are addressed, the prospects for e-government ' s contribution to revitalizing the public service are high.

Research limitations/implications

– Since the empirical component of this study did not cover all the nine provinces of Zambia and utilised a limited sample size of 411, the findings may not be truly representative of the situation on the ground. However, the study provides insights on what factors may influence successful implementation of e-government in Zambia. The paper recommends that further empirical study with a larger and more representative sample should be done in order for the findings to command higher statistical relevance.

Practical implications

– The identified factors may act as pointers to decision makers ' endeavours to design context-aware e-government interventions. This is very important to reduce failure incidences of e-government interventions considering huge costs incurred mostly using tax payers ' money. Further, study findings may be used to inform strategies for effervescent e-government development in Zambia by outlining desired interventions and anticipated adoption levels by the citizenry (supply versus demand).

Originality/value

– Very limited studies have focused on understanding e-government development in Zambia especially from individuals ' perspective. Most studies have attempted to understand the e-government development at a global level. This study, however, highlights factors that influence e-government proliferation at both the macro and micro levels of the socio-economic hierarchy in Zambia.
Exploring citizen perceptions of barriers to e-government adoption in a developing country
Authors: Alomari Mohammad Kamel , Sandhu Kuldeep , Woods Peter
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to explore how citizens socialise and network in relation to using and adopting e-government. The paper suggests that governments need to consider social networks when introducing e-government initiatives. Using qualitative research, this study explores the reasons, fears, motivations and factors with respect to e-government relevant to two social groups of people, those who do and those who do not have regular access to the internet in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study analyses the results of focus groups representing different social groups of Jordanian citizens across the digital divide. The focus groups followed the nominal group method to explore questions relating to e-government adoption. The nominal group method provided preliminary categorisations of responses; however, further initial and axial coding of data were used to analyse recordings of focus group transcripts.

Findings

– Contrary to previous research, this study highlights the importance of considering factors that most likely appear as organizational terms, such as resistance to change, when investigating the adoption of e-government within a social community. Cultural and social themes that emerged include resistance to change, wasta (favouritism), and word of mouth (WOM). Few qualitative studies have investigated the main factors relevant to the adoption of e-government by citizens in the Middle East.

Originality/value

– To investigate the adoption of technological innovations including e-government, this paper encourages researchers and practitioners in information technologies (IT) to consider cultural and social factors that have been rarely discussed in IT research in general and e-government in particular. Examples of these factors are wasta (favouritism) and WOM.
Resilient information infrastructures
Authors: Scholl Hans Jochen , Patin Beth Joy
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Disasters of catastrophic scope and scale have occurred more frequently in recent years. Governmental and non-governmental response management has struggled, and affected communities have severely suffered during extreme events. Colossal damage and loss of lives have been inflicted, and the recovery efforts require extended periods of time. Inpost hocanalyses, actionable information has been found a critical resource requiring resilient information infrastructures (RIIs) that do not break down even under extreme duress. RIIs encompass both tangible and less tangible (for example, social) elements. The purpose of this paper is to pave the way for empirical research on the subject and to conceptually develop a framework for the analysis of information infrastructures and their resiliency, when impacted by catastrophic incidents (also known as extreme events).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors review the literatures of disaster research and related fields. They synthesize the literatures from the information perspective and develop a framework of RII.

Findings

– The synthesis revealed that extreme event-ready RIIs have to be redundant and resourceful both in terms of social, organizational, and knowledge assets as well as in the information and communication technologies. RIIs combine tangible and non-tangible elements, whose interplay is so far incompletely understood.

Research limitations/implications

– Roles and criticality of RIIs under the impact of an extreme event need to be studied empirically.

Practical implications

– The study holds the promise to be of great potential utility for responders and recovery managers as well as affected communities in preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts as timely and actionable information is still the scarcest and most sought resource during a catastrophic incident.

Originality/value

– Disaster research so far has mostly focused on the technical, organizational, social, and socio-psychological effects of disasters. The authors are adding the information perspective as a unique and distinctive contribution to extreme event research, which connects the tangible elements of information infrastructures with its not so tangible elements, captures their interplay, and analyzes their role and criticality for the resiliency of the information infrastructures when under extreme duress.
Using Attribute Importance Rankings Within Discrete Choice Experiments: An Application to Valuing Bread Attributes
Authors: Balcombe Kelvin , Bitzios Michail , Fraser Iain , Haddock‐Fraser Janet
Published: January 2014

We present a new Bayesian econometric specification for a hypothetical Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) incorporating respondent ranking information about attribute importance. Our results indicate that a DCE debriefing question that asks respondents to rank the importance of attributes helps to explain the resulting choices. We also examine how mode of survey delivery (online and mail) impacts model performance, finding that results are not substantively affected by the mode of survey delivery. We conclude that the ranking data are a complementary source of information about respondent utility functions within hypothetical DCEs.
Comparison of 2‐Week Versus 4‐Week Dosing Intervals of Epoetin Beta Pegol on Erythropoiesis and Iron Metabolism in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Morikami Yuki , Fujimori Akira , Okada Shioko , Kumei Mai , Mizobuchi Noriko , Sakai Makoto
Published: January 2014

Epoetin beta pegol (a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator; CERA) is usually administered once in 4 weeks or once monthly. However, the optimal dosing interval remains unknown. We, therefore, compared the effect of CERA administration between dosing intervals of 2 weeks (TWICE group) and 4 weeks (ONCE group) on erythropoiesis and iron metabolism in 20 hemodialysis patients. CERA was administered intravenously at weeks 0 and 2 for the TWICE group, and at week 0 for the ONCE group. Levels of hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocyte count, ferritin, transferrin saturation, content of Hb in reticulocytes and hepcidin‐25 were monitored weekly for 4 weeks. Hemoglobin levels were significantly increased at weeks 3 and 4 in the TWICE group, while a gradual decrease after a significant increase at week 1 was observed in the ONCE group. Ferritin levels remained significantly low from week 1 to week 4 in the TWICE group. On the other hand, ferritin levels increased beyond baseline levels at week 4 in the ONCE group. Although hepcidin‐25 did not significantly increase in the TWICE group, significant increases beyond baseline levels at weeks 3 and 4 were found in the ONCE group. These results indicate that continuous erythropoiesis was achieved with biweekly administration of CERA. Moreover, CERA at a 2‐week interval led to a sustained suppression of ferritin and hepcidin‐25 levels, suggesting a favorable influence on iron metabolism.
A novel model enhances HbA1c‐based diabetes screening using simple anthropometric, anamnestic, and demographic information 一个新颖的使用简单人体测量学参数、既往史以及人口统计学信息增强基于HbA1c检查效力的糖尿病筛查模型
Authors: Cichosz Simon Lebech , Johansen Mette Dencker , Ejskjær Niels , Hansen Troels Krarup , Hejlesen Ole K.
Published: January 2014

Background

The sensitivity of HbA1c is not optimal for the screening of patients with latent diabetes. We hypothesize that simple healthcare information could improve accuracy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data, including HbA1c, from multiple years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2005–2010). The data were used to create a logistic regression classification model for screening purposes.

Results

The study evaluated data for 5381 participants, including 404 with undiagnosed diabetes. The HbA1c screening data were supplemented with information about age, waist circumference, and physical activity in the HbA1c+ model. Alone, HbA1c alone had a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.808 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.792–0.834). The HbA1c+ model had an ROC AUC of 0.851 (95% CI 0.843–0.872). There was a significant difference in the AUC between our model and using HbA1c without supplementary information (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

We have developed a novel screening model that could help improve screening for type 2 diabetes with HbA1c. It seems beneficial to systematically add additional patient healthcare information in the process of screening with HbA1c.
Working Memory and Alcohol Use in At‐Risk Adolescents: A 2‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Peeters Margot , Monshouwer Karin , Janssen Tim , Wiers Reinout W. , Vollebergh Wilma A. M.
Published: January 2014

Background

Previous research has identified working memory (WM) as a possible risk factor for problem drinking in adolescence. At the same time, results suggest that WM functioning is negatively influenced by the use of alcohol. To get a better understanding of the nature of this relationship, the present study examined the prospective bidirectional association between alcohol use and WM in a sample of young adolescents at risk for problem drinking.

Methods

Adolescents were all 8th graders from 17 different Special Education Schools (for youth with externalizing behavior problems). At the beginning of the study, 374 adolescents participated (mean age of 13.6 years). Approximately every 6 months, adolescents completed a questionnaire to establish alcohol use and a Self‐Ordered Pointing Task (SOPT) to assess WM.

Results

Cross‐lagged analyses revealed that alcohol use at T1 negatively predicted WM functioning 6 months later (p < 0.001). WM functioning at T2 and at T3 predicted alcohol use 6 months later (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

WM functioning has been identified as both risk factor for and as function negatively influenced by alcohol use. Findings indicate that early alcohol use in at‐risk adolescents negatively influences the development of subsequent WM functioning, which in turn constitutes as a risk factor for later alcohol use problems. Implications for early interventions are discussed.
Comorbidities, Confounders, and the White Matter Transcriptome in Chronic Alcoholism
Authors: Sutherland Greg T. , Sheedy Donna , Sheahan Pam J. , Kaplan Warren , Kril Jillian J.
Published: January 2014

Background

Alcohol abuse is the world's third leading cause of disease and disability, and one potential sequel of chronic abuse is alcohol‐related brain damage (ARBD). This clinically manifests as cognitive dysfunction and pathologically as atrophy of white matter (WM) in particular. The mechanism linking chronic alcohol intoxication with ARBD remains largely unknown but it is also complicated by common comorbidities such as liver damage and nutritional deficiencies. Liver cirrhosis, in particular, often leads to hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a primary glial disease.

Methods

In a novel transcriptomic study, we targeted the WM only of chronic alcoholics in an attempt to tease apart the pathogenesis of ARBD. Specifically, in alcoholics with and without HE, we explored both the prefrontal and primary motor cortices, 2 regions that experience differential levels of neuronal loss.

Results

Our results suggest that HE, along with 2 confounders, gray matter contamination, and low RNA quality are major drivers of gene expression in ARBD. All 3 exceeded the effects of alcohol itself. In particular, low‐quality RNA samples were characterized by an up‐regulation of translation machinery, while HE was associated with a down‐regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism pathways.

Conclusions

The findings in HE alcoholics are consistent with the metabolic acidosis seen in this condition. In contrast non‐HE alcoholics had widespread but only subtle changes in gene expression in their WM. Notwithstanding the latter result, this study demonstrates that significant confounders in transcriptomic studies of human postmortem brain tissue can be identified, quantified, and “removed” to reveal disease‐specific signals.
Differences in Risk of Injury in the U.S. General Population by Injury Treatment Type: Data from the 1995 to 2010 National Alcohol Surveys
Authors: Cherpitel Cheryl J. , Ye Yu
Published: January 2014

Background

While emergency room (ER) studies have documented a strong association of alcohol with injury, these studies are not necessarily representative of the general population. To evaluate comparative risk of injury from drinking for those treated in the ER with non‐ER‐treated injuries (those treated elsewhere or those not treated), data on alcohol and injury are analyzed in the U.S. general population by type of injury treatment.

Methods

Relative risk (RR) of injury from drinking within 6 hours prior to the event was analyzed using case‐crossover analysis based on respondents' usual frequency of drinking in 4 (1995 to 2010) National Alcohol Surveys (n = 4,819).

Results

RR was 1.01 for the total injured and significantly elevated for ER‐treated injured (1.46), but not for those treated elsewhere (0.75) and those not treated (1.02). RR was significantly elevated for those aged 18 to 30 years (1.45; 1.14, 1.85), Blacks (1.54; 1.11, 2.14) and Hispanics (1.98; 1.51, 2.59), those positive on the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4) as a measure of alcohol dependence (2.41; 1.86, 3.11), and for motor vehicle injuries (2.61; 1.49, 4.58) or cutting/piercing injuries (2.04, 1.10, 3.81). For those reporting ER‐treated injuries, significant effect modification was found for those aged 18 to 30 years (RR = 2.29), Blacks (RR = 2.59) and Hispanics (RR = 2.68), high risk‐taking (RR = 1.71), positive RAPS4 (RR = 3.69), and for motor vehicle (RR = 3.79) and cutting/piercing injuries (RR = 2.60).

Conclusions

Data suggest alcohol plays a larger role in injuries for which ER treatment is sought than for other injuries, and estimates for injury from drinking derived from ER studies may be elevated. Future general population studies should take into account intensity of exposure to alcohol prior to injury, potential recall bias (by eliciting data on the proximity of injury to time of the respondent interview) and severity of injury, for improving estimates of the attributable burden of alcohol to injury in society.
Prospective Study of Maternal Alcohol Intake During Pregnancy or Lactation and Risk of Childhood Asthma: The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Magnus Maria C. , DeRoo Lisa A. , Håberg Siri E. , Magnus Per , Nafstad Per , Nystad Wenche , London Stephanie J.
Published: January 2014

Background

Many women drink during pregnancy and lactation despite recommendations to abstain. In animals, alcohol exposure during pregnancy and lactation influences lung and immune development, plausibly increasing risk of asthma and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Studies in humans are few.

Methods

In the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, we examined maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy and lactation in relation to risk of current asthma at 36 months (49,138 children), recurrent LRTIs by 36 months (39,791 children), and current asthma at 7 years (13,253 children). Mothers reported frequency and amount of alcohol intake each trimester and the first 3 months following delivery. We calculated adjusted relative risk (aRR), comparing children of drinkers to nondrinkers, using Generalized Linear Models.

Results

A total of 31.8% of mothers consumed alcohol during first trimester, 9.7% during second trimester, and 15.6% during third trimester. Infrequent and low‐dose prenatal alcohol exposure showed a modest statistically significant inverse association with current asthma at 36 months (aRRs ~ 0.85). No association was seen with the highest alcohol intakes during the first trimester when alcohol consumption was most common. RRs of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy with recurrent LRTIs were ~1, with sporadic differences in risk for some metrics of intake, but without any consistent pattern. For current asthma at 7 years, similar inverse associations were seen as with current asthma at 36 months but were not statistically significant. Among children breastfed throughout the first 3 months of life, maternal alcohol intake during this time was not significantly associated with any of the 3 outcomes.

Conclusions

The low levels of alcohol exposure during pregnancy or lactation observed in this cohort were not associated with increased risk of asthma or recurrent LRTIs. The slight inverse associations of infrequent or low‐dose prenatal alcohol exposure with asthma may not be causal.
A genome‐wide linkage analysis for reproductive traits in F2Large White × Meishan cross gilts
Authors: Hernandez S. C. , Finlayson H. A. , Ashworth C. J. , Haley C. S. , Archibald A. L.
Published: January 2014

Female reproductive performance traits in pigs have low heritabilities thus limiting improvement through traditional selective breeding programmes. However, there is substantial genetic variation found between pig breeds with the Chinese Meishan being one of the most prolific pig breeds known. In this study, three cohorts of Large White × Meishan F2 cross‐bred pigs were analysed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) with effects on reproductive traits, including ovulation rate, teat number, litter size, total born alive and prenatal survival. A total of 307 individuals were genotyped for 174 genetic markers across the genome. The genome‐wide analysis of the trait‐recorded F2 gilts in their first parity/litter revealed one QTL for teat number significant at the genome level and a total of 12 QTL, which are significant at the chromosome‐wide level, for: litter size (three QTL), total born alive (two QTL), ovulation rate (four QTL), prenatal survival (one QTL) and teat number (two QTL). Further support for eight of these QTL is provided by results from other studies. Four of these 12 QTL were mapped for the first time in this study: on SSC15 for ovulation rate and on SSC18 for teat number, ovulation rate and litter size.