bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial Note
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

The Editorial Note to Winnicott’s posthumously published book Human Nature, describing the plans, synopses, headings and text of the work.
Acknowledgement
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

An acknowledgement for the bibliographical details and index of Human Nature.
The Psyche-Soma and the Mind
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In Chapter 1, Winnicott looks at human nature from the point of view of the psyche-soma dichotomy in the child, and the beginnings of his mental life. He discusses three areas in detail: somatic health, psyche health, intellect, and health.
Dwelling of Psyche in Body
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this chapter, Winnicott describes the dwelling of the psyche within the body as a process to be achieved. He describes a variety of body experiences and how body and psyche interrelate, and also how external factors impede or assist this relationship. The sources of paranoia are seen by Winnicott as an expectation of persecution by the psyche-soma partnership if things do not go well. In addition, a naïve dependence on all going exactly as needed by the self can lead to vulnerability. The normal position between such extremes depends on sufficient care for the growing self, eventually leading to self-care and independence.
The Intellectual Function
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this chapter, Winnicott proposes that intellectual function is derived from inherent factors in the individual as well as from the provision of the external environment. If there is inadequate environmental provision for the infant, an overuse of the intellectual function may predominate, and this provides a false and precarious kind of self-care for the growing child. The overuse of the intellect may destabilise the complex balance of psyche and soma, producing for some individuals a sense of unreality.
An adolescent with chest pain and cardiac hemangioma
Authors: Shaner Marie L. , Pauliks Linda B. , Leach Don , Myers John L. , Chang Dennis
Published: March 2017

Less than 5% of chest pain in children is cardiac in origin, yet this complaint still represents one of the top reasons children are referred to pediatric cardiologists. This article describes a patient whose cardiac tumor illustrates the challenges of evaluating pediatric chest pain and the Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan algorithm that can help.
Population-based organized cervical cancer screening pilot program in France
Authors: Hamers Françoise F. , Duport Nicolas , Beltzer Nathalie
Published: March 2017

In France, cervical cancer screening is recommended every 3 years for women aged 25–65 years. With the exception of a few local organized programs, screening is mainly opportunistic. In view of setting up a nationwide population-based organized screening program, a pilot intervention was implemented in nine geographic areas using a common protocol. Women aged 25–65 years who had not undergone a cytological screening in the past 3 years were invited for screening during 2010–2012 and reminded up to 1 year after the initial invitation. Cytological results and follow-up data were collected up to the end of 2014 for all women screened irrespective of whether spontaneously or following invitation. Aggregate data were centralized nationally. Among the 2.4 million women from the total target population aged 25–65 years, 1.3 million were invited for screening. The overall screening coverage during 2010–2012 was 62.3%, with wide variations across geographic areas, ranging from 41.6 to 72.5%. Initial invitations and reminders enabled nearly 280 000 women to be screened, corresponding to an estimated increase in coverage of 12% points. Overall, 4.2% of the women screened had an abnormal smear. A total of 5180 high-grade cervical precancers and 323 invasive cervical cancers were reported, corresponding to detection rates of, respectively, 623 and 39 per 100 000 women screened 3-yearly. This study indicates that such organized screening may markedly improve the uptake of cervical cancer screening. On the basis of this pilot program, nationwide organized cervical cancer screening is currently being rolled out in France.
Photography in Dermatologic Surgery: Selection of an Appropriate Camera Type for a Particular Clinical Application
Authors: Chen Brian R. , Poon Emily , Alam Murad
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Photographs are an essential tool for the documentation and sharing of findings in dermatologic surgery, and various camera types are available.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the currently available camera types in view of the special functional needs of procedural dermatologists.

METHODS

Mobile phone, point and shoot, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), digital medium format, and 3-dimensional cameras were compared in terms of their usefulness for dermatologic surgeons. For each camera type, the image quality, as well as the other practical benefits and limitations, were evaluated with reference to a set of ideal camera characteristics. Based on these assessments, recommendations were made regarding the specific clinical circumstances in which each camera type would likely be most useful.

RESULTS

Mobile photography may be adequate when ease of use, availability, and accessibility are prioritized. Point and shoot cameras and DSLR cameras provide sufficient resolution for a range of clinical circumstances, while providing the added benefit of portability. Digital medium format cameras offer the highest image quality, with accurate color rendition and greater color depth. Three-dimensional imaging may be optimal for the definition of skin contour.

CONCLUSION

The selection of an optimal camera depends on the context in which it will be used.
Two-Year Clinical Outcome of 500 Consecutive Cases Undergoing Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Peraza-Nieves Jorge , Baydoun Lamis , Dapena Isabel , Ilyas Abbas , Frank Laurence E. , Luceri Salvatore , Ham Lisanne , Oellerich Silke , Melles Gerrit R. J.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical outcome of 500 consecutive cases up to 2 years after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and to assess which parameters may have influenced the clinical outcome.

Methods:

From a group of 500 eyes (393 patients), which underwent DMEK for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), bullous keratopathy, failed corneal transplants and other indications, clinical outcomes [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central endothelial cell density (ECD), and central corneal thickness] were evaluated before, and at 6, 12, and 24 months after DMEK and postoperative complications were documented.

Results:

At 12 months postoperatively, 81% of eyes reached a BCVA of ≥20/25 (≥0.8), 49% ≥20/20 (≥1.0), and 15% ≥20/18 (≥1.2) (n = 396) and remained stable up to 24 months (P= 0.828). Compared with preoperative ECD, mean postoperative ECD decreased by 37 (±18)%, 40 (±18)%, and 45 (±18)% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively (P< 0.05 for all time points). Surgery indication and graft attachment status were related to postoperative BCVA and ECD results. Eyes with FECD and attached grafts showed better BCVA outcomes and higher ECD (P< 0.05). Central corneal thickness decreased by 20 (±11)% to 525 (±46) μm from preoperative to 6 months postoperatively and remained stable thereafter (P> 0.05). Within the study period, retransplantation was required in 32 eyes (6.4%). Principal longer-term complications were secondary graft failure (1.4%) and allograft rejection (1.4%).

Conclusions:

Clinical outcomes remain excellent up to 2 years after DMEK, in particular for eyes operated on for FECD and with completely attached grafts.
Downregulation of ADAMTS18 May Serve as a Poor Prognostic Biomarker for Cervical Cancer Patients
Authors: Zhang Lin , Liu Yibin , Zheng Pengtao
Published: March 2017

ADAMTS18 is a member of ADAMTS (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs) family proteins which have been found to play important roles in cancer progression and metastasis in different cancer types. The present study aims at evaluating the prognostic significance of ADAMTS18 in cervical cancer. The expression levels of ADAMTS18 was evaluated by real-time PCR in normal (N=28) and cervical cancer tissues from patients at different stages as well as in tumor tissues from 35 cervical cancer patients with primary cancer and 29 patients with metastasis. The correlation between serum ADAMTS18 expression levels and clinicopathologic features or overall survival of cervical cancer patients was analyzed. ADAMTS18 expression levels were significantly decreased in cervical cancer tissues compared with normal tissues and it decreased gradually from early stage to late stage. Low expression of ADAMTS18 was positively associated with high tumor stage (P=0.0239), positive lymph node metastasis (P=0.0388), and distant metastasis (P=0.0004). Tissue levels of ADAMTS18 in patients with primary cancer were significantly lower compared with those with metastasis. Moreover, patients with low ADAMTS18 expression levels had shorter overall survival (P=0.0119) or disease-free survival (P=0.0033). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ADAMTS18 was an independent prognostic factor for cervical cancer. Our study suggests that ADAMTS18 is downregulated in cervical cancer and ADAMTS18 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for cervical cancer.
Broad-scale trophic shift in the pelagic North Pacific revealed by an oceanic seabird
Authors: Ostrom Peggy H. , Wiley Anne E. , James Helen F. , Rossman Sam , Walker William A. , Zipkin Elise F. , Chikaraishi Yoshito
Published: March 2017

Human-induced ecological change in the open oceans appears to be accelerating. Fisheries, climate change and elevated nutrient inputs are variously blamed, at least in part, for altering oceanic ecosystems. Yet it is challenging to assess the extent of anthropogenic change in the open oceans, where historical records of ecological conditions are sparse, and the geographical scale is immense. We developed millennial-scale amino acid nitrogen isotope records preserved in ancient animal remains to understand changes in food web structure and nutrient regimes in the oceanic realm of the North Pacific Ocean (NPO). Our millennial-scale isotope records of amino acids in bone collagen in a wide-ranging oceanic seabird, the Hawaiian petrel (
Pterodroma sandwichensis
), showed that trophic level declined over time. The amino acid records do not support a broad-scale increase in nitrogen fixation in the North Pacific subtropical gyre, rejecting an earlier interpretation based on bulk and amino acid specific
δ
15
N chronologies for Hawaiian deep-sea corals and bulk
δ
15
N chronologies for the Hawaiian petrel. Rather, our work suggests that the food web structure in the NPO has shifted at a broad geographical scale, a phenomenon potentially related to industrial fishing.
Warming magnifies predation and reduces prey coexistence in a model litter arthropod system
Authors: Thakur Madhav P. , Künne Tom , Griffin John N. , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: March 2017

Climate warming can destabilize interactions between competitors as smaller organisms gain advantages in warmer environments. Whether and how warming-induced effects on competitive interactions are modified by predation remains unknown. We hypothesized that predation will offset the competitive advantage of smaller prey species in warmer environments because of their greater vulnerability to predation. To test this, we assembled a litter arthropod community with two Collembola species (Folsomia candidaandProisotoma minuta) of different body sizes across a temperature gradient (three thermal environments) and in the presence and absence of predatory mites. Predatory mites reduced Collembola coexistence with increasing temperatures. Contradicting our hypothesis, the larger prey species always outperformed the smaller prey species in warmer environments with predators. Larger prey probably benefited as they expressed a greater trait (body length) plasticity to warming. Warming can thus magnify predation effects and reduce the probability of prey coexistence.
Generation and comparative analysis of full-length transcriptomes in sweetpotato and its putative wild ancestorI. trifida
Authors: Luo Yonghai , Ding Na , Shi Xuan , Wu Yunxiang , Wang Ruyuan , Pei Lingquan , Xu Ruoyu , Cheng Shuo , Lian Yongyan , Gao Jingyan , Wang Aimin , Tang Jun , Cao Qinghe
Published: March 2017

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.] is one of the most important crops in many developing countries and provides a candidate source of bioenergy. However, neither high-quality reference genome nor large-scale full-length cDNA sequences for this outcrossing hexaploid are still lacking, which in turn impedes progress in research studies in sweetpotato functional genomics and molecular breeding. In this study, we apply a combination of second- and third-generation sequencing technologies to sequence full-length transcriptomes in sweetpotato and its putative ancestorI. trifida. In total, we obtained 53,861/51,184 high-quality transcripts, which includes 34,963/33,637 putative full-length cDNA sequences, from sweetpotato/I. trifida. Amongst, we identified 104,540/94,174 open reading frames, 1476/1475 transcription factors, 25,315/27,090 simple sequence repeats, 417/531 long non-coding RNAs out of the sweetpotato/I. trifidadataset. By utilizing public available genomic contigs, we analyzed the gene features (including exon number, exon size, intron number, intron size, exon-intron structure) of 33,119 and 32,793 full-length transcripts in sweetpotato andI. trifida, respectively. Furthermore, comparative analysis between our transcript datasets and other large-scale cDNA datasets from different plant species enables us assessing the quality of public datasets, estimating the genetic similarity across relative species, and surveyed the evolutionary pattern of genes. Overall, our study provided fundamental resources of large-scale full-length transcripts in sweetpotato and its putative ancestor, for the first time, and would facilitate structural, functional and comparative genomics studies in this important crop.
Predicting Causal Relationships from Biological Data: Applying Automated Casual Discovery on Mass Cytometry Data of Human Immune Cells
Authors: Triantafillou Sofia , Lagani Vincenzo , Heinze-Deml Christina , Schmidt Angelika , Tegner Jesper , Tsamardinos Ioannis
Published: March 2017

Learning the causal relationships that define a molecular system allows us to predict how the system will respond to different interventions. Distinguishing causality from mere association typically requires randomized experiments. Methods for automated causal discovery from limited experiments exist, but have so far rarely been tested in systems biology applications. In this work, we apply state-of-the art causal discovery methods on a large collection of public mass cytometry data sets, measuring intra-cellular signaling proteins of the human immune system and their response to several perturbations. We show how different experimental conditions can be used to facilitate causal discovery, and apply two fundamental methods that produce context-specific causal predictions. Causal predictions were reproducible across independent data sets from two different studies, but often disagree with the KEGG pathway databases. Within this context, we discuss the caveats we need to overcome for automated causal discovery to become a part of the routine data analysis in systems biology.
Simultaneous mapping of active DNA demethylation and sister chromatid exchange in single cells
Authors: Wu Xiaoji , Inoue Azusa , Suzuki Tsukasa , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2017

To understand mammalian active DNA demethylation, various methods have been developed to map the genomic distribution of the demethylation intermediates 5-formylcysotine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC). However, the majority of these methods requires a large number of cells to begin with. In this study, we describe low-input methylase-assisted bisulfite sequencing (liMAB-seq ) and single-cell MAB-seq (scMAB-seq), capable of profiling 5fC and 5caC at genome scale using ∼100 cells and single cells, respectively. liMAB-seq analysis of preimplantation embryos reveals the oxidation of 5mC to 5fC/5caC and the positive correlation between chromatin accessibility and processivity of ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes. scMAB-seq captures the cell-to-cell heterogeneity of 5fC and 5caC and reveals the strand-biased distribution of 5fC and 5caC. scMAB-seq also allows the simultaneous high-resolution mapping of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), facilitating the study of this type of genomic rearrangement. Therefore, our study not only establishes new methods for the genomic mapping of active DNA demethylation using limited numbers of cells or single cells but also demonstrates the utilities of the methods in different biological contexts.
Combination of short-read, long-read, and optical mapping assemblies reveals large-scale tandem repeat arrays with population genetic implications
Authors: Weissensteiner Matthias H. , Pang Andy W.C. , Bunikis Ignas , Höijer Ida , Vinnere-Petterson Olga , Suh Alexander , Wolf Jochen B.W.
Published: March 2017

Accurate and contiguous genome assembly is key to a comprehensive understanding of the processes shaping genomic diversity and evolution. Yet, it is frequently constrained by constitutive heterochromatin, usually characterized by highly repetitive DNA. As a key feature of genome architecture associated with centromeric and subtelomeric regions, it locally influences meiotic recombination. In this study, we assess the impact of large tandem repeat arrays on the recombination rate landscape in an avian speciation model, the Eurasian crow. We assembled two high-quality genome references using single-molecule real-time sequencing (long-read assembly [LR]) and single-molecule optical maps (optical map assembly [OM]). A three-way comparison including the published short-read assembly (SR) constructed for the same individual allowed assessing assembly properties and pinpointing misassemblies. By combining information from all three assemblies, we characterized 36 previously unidentified large repetitive regions in the proximity of sequence assembly breakpoints, the majority of which contained complex arrays of a 14-kb satellite repeat or its 1.2-kb subunit. Using whole-genome population resequencing data, we estimated the population-scaled recombination rate (ρ) and found it to be significantly reduced in these regions. These findings are consistent with an effect of low recombination in regions adjacent to centromeric or subtelomeric heterochromatin and add to our understanding of the processes generating widespread heterogeneity in genetic diversity and differentiation along the genome. By combining three different technologies, our results highlight the importance of adding a layer of information on genome structure that is inaccessible to each approach independently.
Crystal structure of [Cu(tmpen)](BF4)2{tmpen isN,N,N′,N′-tetrakis[(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]ethane-1,2-diamine}
Authors: Chen Lin , Guo Yakun , Ren Gan , Sang Ge
Published: March 2017

The mononuclear copper title complex {N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis[(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]ethane-1,2-diamine-κ6N}copper(II) bis(tetrafluoridoborate), [Cu(C30H36N6)](BF4)2, is conveniently prepared from the reaction of Cu(BF4)2·6H2O withN,N,N′,N′-tetrakis[(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]ethane-1,2-diamine (tmpen) in acetonitrile at room temperature in air. The complex shows a distorted octahedral environment around the CuIIcation (site symmetry 2) and adopts the centrosymmetric space groupC2/c. The presence of the 6-methyl substituent hinders the approach of the pyridine group to the CuIIcore. The bond lengths about the CuIIatom are significantly longer than those of analogues without the 6-methyl substituents.
Crystal structure of 1,3-bis[(E)-benzylideneamino]propan-2-ol
Authors: Rivera Augusto , Miranda-Carvajal Ingrid , Ríos-Motta Jaime , Bolte Michael
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, C17H18N2O, the central carbon atom with the OH substituent and one of the (E)-benzylideneamino substituents are disordered over two sets of sites with occupancies of 0.851 (4) and 0.149 (4). The relative positions of the two disorder components is equivalent to a rotation of approximately 60° about the C—N single bond. In the crystal, the molecules are held together by O—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming simpleC(5) chains along theb-axis direction. In addition, pairs of the chains are further aggregated by weak C—H...π interactions.
Biochemical and structural studies ofMycobacterium smegmatisMutT1, a sanitization enzyme with unusual modes of association
Authors: Arif S. M. , Patil A. G. , Varshney U. , Vijayan M.
Published: March 2017

Mycobacterium smegmatisMutT1, which is made up of a Nudix domain (domain 1) and a histidine phosphatase domain (domain 2), efficiently hydrolyses 8-oxo-GTP and 8-oxo-dGTP to the corresponding nucleoside diphosphates and phosphate in the presence of magnesium ions. Domain 1 alone hydrolyses nucleoside triphosphates less efficiently. Under high concentrations and over long periods, the full-length enzyme as well as domain 1 catalyses the hydrolysis of the nucleoside triphosphates to the respective nucleoside monophosphates and pyrophosphate. The role of domain 2 appears to be limited to speeding up the reaction. Crystal structures of the apoenzyme and those of ligand-bound enzyme prepared in the presence of 8-oxo-GTP or 8-oxo-dGTP and different concentrations of magnesium were determined. In all of the structures except one, the molecules arrange themselves in a head-to-tail fashion in which domain 1 is brought into contact with domain 2 (transdomain 2) of a neighbouring molecule. The binding site for NTP (site A) is almost exclusively made up of residues from domain 1, while those for NDP (site B) and NMP (site C) are at the interface between domain 1 andtransdomain 2 in an unusual instance of intermolecular interactions leading to binding sites. Protein–ligand interactions at site A lead to a proposal for the mechanism of hydrolysis of NTP to NDP and phosphate. A small modification in site A in the crystal which does not exhibit the head-to-tail arrangement appears to facilitate the production of NMP and pyrophosphate from NTP. The two arrangements could be in dynamic equilibrium in the cellular milieu.
Managing graduate unemployment: the case of education students in Cyprus
Authors: Eliophotou Menon Maria , Athanasoula-Reppa Anastasia
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problems faced by unemployed and underemployed graduate students in a small European country. It focusses on the way young people adjust to unemployment and underemployment and on the specific strategies they use to enhance their employability. Various aspects of these strategies as they relate to student decision making and analysis are discussed. The role of new skills and competencies in managing graduate unemployment is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research was conducted with 15 graduate students of the Education Department of the University of Cyprus. In-depth interviews and focus-group interviews were used to collect data.

Findings

The results indicate that the main strategy used by respondents in order to enhance their prospects of employment is the acquisition of additional skills and competencies. A secondary strategy is the pursuit of employment opportunities abroad. Student decisions and perspectives appear to be optimistic, partially rational, placed within a short-term horizon and influenced by the belief in the investment value of education.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are qualitative and cannot be considered to be representative of the population. However, they allow an in-depth analysis of the way a group of students experiences and manages unemployment and underemployment.

Originality/value

The way young people deal with unemployment and underemployment has not been investigated in many studies, especially in relation to the degree to which graduates formulate specific strategies in order to manage the transition from the university to the world of work. Students’ and graduates’ perceptions regarding the association between skills and employment can provide the basis for more informed planning and policy making in higher education.
Social embeddedness, formal labor supply, and participation in informal work
Authors: Slack Tim , Cope Michael R. , Jensen Leif , Tickamyer Ann R.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze data from the first-ever national-level study of informal work in the USA to test two prominent points of focus in the literature: how participation in informal work relates to social embeddedness and formal labor supply. This paper also provides a comparative test of the factors associated with exchange-based informal work (i.e. money/barter) vs self-provisioning activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on data from a national-level household telephone survey and uses descriptive statistics and logistic regression models.

Findings

The data show that participation in the informal economy is widespread in the USA. Consistent with theory, it is found that measures of social embeddedness and formal labor supply are much more salient for predicting participation in informal work for money/barter compared to self-provisioning.

Originality/value

Drawing on unique data from the first national-level household survey of informal work in the USA, this study provides generalizable support for the contention that the informal sector stands as a persistent structural feature in modern society. The results build on the wealth of information produced by qualitative case studies examining informal economic activity as well as a smaller number of regionally targeted surveys to provide important theoretical insights.
An investigation of marketing capabilities of informal microenterprises
Authors: Khan Eijaz Ahmed
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Marketing capabilities of large- and medium-sized enterprise is well understood and focused, but little research has been done on microenterprise, especially in informal sector microenterprise. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what are the marketing capabilities of informal microenterprises (IMs) that could be sources of competitive performance.

Design/methodology/approach

At first, a literature review and pilot study was used to develop a list of marketing capabilities of IM street food vending. Then a quantitative approach was undertaken where questionnaire was developed and distributed to 42 street food vendors and 52 customers in Bangkok, Thailand. The collected data were analyzed using a descriptive statistic, principle component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and k-mean clustering technique.

Findings

Analysis revealed that IM street food vending has some unique marketing capabilities compared to formal restaurant. From the vendors’ point of view, it was found that cheaper pricing and quicker food delivery were the major contributors. On the other hand, from the customer point of view, convenient location, flexible business hours, fulfill customer food requirements, and cooking demonstration were noted significant.

Social implications

Policy makers and development agencies could be developed using various policy strategies such as business development support services as a tool to support IM operators.

Originality/value

This study provides a first step toward marketing capabilities of IM and makes several contributions to the literature.
Explaining participation in undeclared work in France: lessons for policy evaluation
Authors: Windebank Jan , Horodnic Ioana Alexandra
Published: March 2017

Purpose

France is a model of best practice in the European Union as regards policy to combat undeclared work. The purpose of this paper is to take the country as a case study to evaluate the competing explanations of why people engage in undeclared work which underpin such policy, namely, the dominant rational-economic-actor approach and the more recent social-actor approach.

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate these approaches, the results of 1,027 interviews undertaken in 2013 with a representative sample of the French population are analysed.

Findings

The finding is that higher perceived penalties and risks of detection have no significant impact on the likelihood of conducting undeclared work in France. In contrast, the level of tax morale has a significant impact on engagement in the activity: the higher the tax morale, the lower is the likelihood of participation in the undeclared economy. Higher penalties and risks of detection only decrease the likelihood of participation in undeclared work amongst the small minority of the French population with very low tax morale.

Practical implications

Current policy in France to counter undeclared work is informed principally by the rational-economic-actor approach based on a highly developed infrastructure for detection and significant penalties alongside incentives to declare small-scale own-account work. The present analysis suggests that this approach needs to be supplemented with measures to improve citizens’ commitment to compliance by enhancing tax morale.

Originality/value

This case study of a country with a well-developed policy framework to combat undeclared work provides evidence to support the social-actor approach for informing policy change.
Educational leadership for social justice in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain
Authors: Silva Patricia , Slater Charles L. , Lopez Gorosave Gema , Cerdas Victoria , Torres Nancy , Antunez Serafin , Briceno Fernando
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of school leaders to provide social justice in three contexts: Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was conducted under the interpretative tradition characterized by a search for an understanding of the social world from the point of view of a school director from each of the three countries. Interviews were conducted to determine their views on social justice, the actions they took, and the obstacles they confronted.

Findings

The directors conceived of education as a right and believed in equal educational opportunity, and fair distribution of resources. They used a variety of methods to promote social justice, increase social cohesion, and provide emotional education. Obstacles came from educational authorities who tried to control rather than support their efforts. They were committed to working in schools with marginalized populations, but their efforts had taken a toll on their personal and professional lives.

Research limitations/implications

The research looked at just three principals whose experiences were unique to their context. However, the study has the advantage of looking at schools not typically included in educational research.

Practical implications

The work of these school directors underscores the need for preparation in skills, knowledge, and values to work for social justice.

Originality/value

The value of this research is to illuminate the narratives of school leaders. Working across borders can provide insights about the possibilities of change and strength to persevere.
Estimates and inferences in accounting panel data sets: comparing approaches
Authors: Canitz Felix , Ballis-Papanastasiou Panagiotis , Fieberg Christian , Lopatta Kerstin , Varmaz Armin , Walker Thomas
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and evaluate the methods commonly used in accounting literature to correct for cointegrated data and data that are neither stationary nor cointegrated.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted Monte Carlo simulations according to Baltagi et al. (2011), Petersen (2009) and Gow et al. (2010), to analyze how regression results are affected by the possible nonstationarity of the variables of interest.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that biases in regression estimates can be reduced and valid inferences can be obtained by using robust standard errors clustered by firm, clustered by firm and time or Fama–MacBeth t-statistics based on the mean and standard errors of the cross section of coefficients from time-series regressions.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are suited to guide future researchers regarding which estimation methods are the most reliable given the possible nonstationarity of the variables of interest.
Are community-managed libraries effective?
Authors: Cavanagh Michael John
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of community-managed libraries (CMLs) in England. It traces their history and considers the evidence base in respect of their effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Through quantitative research (web surveys) with volunteers and chief librarians, the study establishes: the range of services being delivered; the perceived need for and extent of training given to volunteers; the criteria through which public library effectiveness can be measured, and the extent to which CMLs are able to deliver against these criteria.

Findings

The study found widespread variation in the range of services offered and the extent of training received. Further, it found significant differences of opinion and priorities between the research groups in respect of the relative importance of various effectiveness criteria and the ability of CMLs to deliver against these criteria. The evidence from this study points to a fragmented and inconsistent network of volunteer delivered libraries. A key reason is the variation in approach and level of support from local authorities. The paper concludes that the lack of national standards and consistently applied professional advice could be contributing to this variation and points to the Welsh Public Libraries approach, based on their standards framework, as a model that could be replicated.

Originality/value

These findings have implications for policy makers in respect of the case made for the reintroduction of a standard/quality framework to reduce service variability. The findings will also be of value to local authorities that are considering implementing a community-managed library model.
Fostering corporate sustainability in the Mexican coffee industry
Authors: Munguia Nora , Varela Alejandra , Esquexr Javier , Velázquez Contreras Luis Eduardo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

At the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) in Paris, 195 governments reached an agreement pivotal not only for countries but also for companies. The Paris Agreement makes it impossible to practice business as usual. The transition to a low-carbon coffee industry could be achieved by fostering corporate sustainability. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of how to adopt the principles of Paris Agreement by enhancing the corporate sustainability of a Mexican coffee-roaster company using the inventory phase of the life cycle assessment tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collection process followed the requirements of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook, developed by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability in the European Commission Joint Research Centre, and data on packaging materials and energy production were drawn from a commercially available database in the LCA software SimaPro.

Findings

Compiling data on the energy of the firm’s material flows in a firm revealed opportunities to improve energy efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the inventory analysis can be used to evaluate the specific environmental impacts of the coffee-roasting process at this Mexican coffee company. Data compilation activities for energy flows identified the need to install liquefied petroleum gas measuring devices and individual measuring devices for electricity consumption in different areas of the coffee plant. It is recommended that, while implementing this option, the company also develop an energy management program to achieve energy efficiency.

Practical implications

The inventory data in this case study permit comparisons of the current state of the system studied and its possible future states and offer stakeholders relevant information on resource use. Similarly, the project results provide the basis for future research on environmental performance in the coffee industry in Mexico and for the development of policies regarding the production process in the coffee supply chain. Consequently, this research can help fulfil Mexico’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.

Social implications

Reaching the goal of the Paris Agreement will require gathering key information for each single company. The current case study has provided key data to foster the principles of sustainability in the Mexican coffee industry to help this sector to transit toward sustainable development, which is a new demand of the Mexican society. Even though it may seem simple, this is the hardest step for enhancing stakeholder involvement in corporate sustainability.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this research to science and practice is to confirm that fostering corporate sustainability is easier and more feasible when energy flow information is available.
Reasons for not changing to activity-based costing: a survey of Irish firms
Authors: Quinn Martin , Elafi Otman , Mulgrew Mark
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to report on a survey of medium and large Irish firms to ascertain reasons for not changing to more advanced costing techniques, namely, activity-based costing (ABC). Developments in technology and recent poor economic conditions would suggest that the technique could be adopted more by firms, as they make increased efforts to keep costs under control.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used to gather data drawing from the top 1,000 Irish firms. From a useable population of 821 organisations, a response rate of 20.75 per cent was achieved.

Findings

Findings show a rate of adoption of ABC of 18.7 per cent, which is lower than previous studies in an Irish context. The level of information technology in firms is not a key factor for non-adoption. Instead, the main reasoning for non-adoption revolve around stable existing costing methods, which firms expressed satisfaction with.

Originality/value

This research suggests the adoption of ABC is not necessarily driven by external factors such as technology and economic shocks, at least in the context of Ireland. It also suggests that costing techniques may be deeply embedded within organisations and are less likely to be subject to change.
Gamification, serious games, simulations, and immersive learning environments in knowledge management initiatives
Authors: Ahmed Allam , Sutton Michael J.D.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth and critical review of the literature and theories on knowledge, knowledge management (KM) as well as the concepts and approaches relating to organizational learning and the knowledge-based economy. The paper also provides more details and definitions of various issues around gamification.

Design/methodology/approach

Several sources have been reviewed and consulted including various mainstream referred journals focusing on KM and gamification as well as books, online databases, governmental reports, and statistics, etc.

Findings

Game-based learning (GBL) in business must align with the learning goals and outcomes of training and development, and clearly demonstrate that learning can be evaluated and achieved. Serious game experiences drive personal change and transformation by generating an attitude of acceptance of the challenge, motivation to achieve, and constant innovation through participant commitments. Simulations push the participant into experiencing an immersive environment. Finally, gamification, as a collection of techniques, may be applied to the educational and workplace activities, or used as a wrapper for GBL, serious games, and simulations.

Research limitations/implications

We are on a unique and unusual path to revitalizing and reinvigorating the educational experience. This new path is not about throwing a LMS at faculty and hoping it sticks. This new path is about creating faculty who are mentors, coaches, and life-long learners who understand the research implications of applying game-based learning in the classroom, as well as the workforce.

Practical implications

Higher educational teaching as well as corporate LTD (Learning, Training, and Development) are being significantly disrupted. The innovation taking place in teaching requires more experiential learning, the kind of learning stimulated with serious games, simulations, immersive learning environments, and gamification. This issue will help to outline disruptive approaches that work.

Originality/value

This paper provides a review of the emerging trends and cases where gamification, simulations, serious games, immersive learning environments, virtual reality, and augmented reality are applied to the deployment of knowledge-based initiatives.
Understanding patient and physician perceptions of male androgenetic alopecia treatments in Asia–Pacific and Latin America
Authors: Lulic Zrinka , Inui Shigeki , Sim Woo‐Young , Kang Hoon , Choi Gwang Seong , Hong Woosung , Hatanaka Toshiki , Wilson Timothy , Manyak Michael
Published: March 2017

This survey aimed to explore patient and physician attitudes towards male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), satisfaction with currently available male AGA treatments and investigate the factors affecting treatment choice. The survey was carried out in five countries (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico and Brazil) between November and December 2015 using a standard market research methodology. Questionnaires were completed by patients with male AGA or hair loss/thinning and practicing physicians who were responsible for prescribing AGA treatment. In total, 835 patients and 338 physicians completed the questionnaire. Overall, 37.6% of patients reported satisfaction with the treatments they had used. The highest patient satisfaction was reported for 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors (53.9% of patients satisfied). In all countries, physicians were more likely than patients to think that male AGA has a major impact on patient confidence (89.3% vs 70.4%, respectively). There was agreement by physicians and patients that male AGA patients who are involved in their treatment decisions have better outcomes. Patients who were satisfied with AGA treatments were more likely to have the level of involvement they desired in treatment decisions (69.1% of satisfied patients) than dissatisfied patients (56.4% of dissatisfied patients). This survey provides valuable insights into the attitudes of patients and physicians in Asia and Latin America about male AGA and its treatments. The survey identified areas of disconnect between physicians and patients regarding the impact of male AGA, treatment consultations and the importance of treatment attributes. It also highlights the need for physicians to spend sufficient time with patients discussing AGA treatment approaches.
Increased risk of comorbid rheumatic disorders in vitiligo patients: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Choi Chong Won , Eun Sung Hye , Choi Kwang Hyun , Bae Jung Min
Published: March 2017

Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentation disorder. Previous studies have shown that vitiligo is associated with a variety of autoimmune disorders. However, a large‐scale epidemiological study focused on comorbid rheumatic disorders has not been undertaken. To clarify the associations between vitiligo and various rheumatic disorders, we performed a cross‐sectional study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance claims database. Between 2009 and 2013, totals of 86 210 patients with vitiligo and 172 420 age‐ and sex‐matched controls without vitiligo were enrolled in this study. Vitiligo patients were found to be at increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, but no significant association was found between vitiligo and dermatomyositis/polymyositis, Behçet's disease or ankylosing spondylitis. Subgroup analysis showed an increased risk of dermatomyositis/polymyositis in male and ankylosing spondylitis in female vitiligo patients. The risks of dermatomyositis/polymyositis or ankylosing spondylitis were higher in young vitiligo patients. Our study confirms a significant association between vitiligo and rheumatic disorders. Differences in comorbid rheumatic disorders by age group and sex suggest the need for patient‐specific approaches. Careful consideration of rheumatic disorders is required for the proper management of comorbidities in vitiligo patients.
Influence of autism on fathering style among Black American fathers: a narrative inquiry
Authors: Hannon Michael D. , White Ebony E. , Nadrich Tyce
Published: March 2017

Attention to Black men's fathering styles, especially those who have children with autism, has been largely overlooked. This study presents the narratives of six Black American fathers of individuals with autism and how autism influences their fathering practice. Results suggest fathering individuals with autism can yield greater patience in fathering practice, amidst some normative challenges associated with the diagnosis. Family therapists serving Black families and fathers of children with autism can enhance the therapeutic alliance by acknowledging cultural influences on fathering and family practices. Recommendations for clinical practice and research are shared.

Practitioner points

Autism influences family systems in unique ways across racial groups that can require family therapy

There is little scholarship about how children's autism diagnoses influences Black fathers and families

Children's autism influence on Black fathers can yield changes in fathering practice, including increased patience

Culturally responsive practice includes acknowledging cultural influences on fathering style and personal growth as a consequence of autism