bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manager-employee psychological contracts: enter the smartphone
Authors: Obushenkova Elena , Plester Barbara , Haworth Nigel
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how company-provided smartphones and user-device attachment influence the psychological contract between employees and managers in terms of connectivity expectations and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using qualitative semi-structured interviews with 28 participants from four organizations.

Findings

The study showed that when organizations provide smartphones to their employees, the smartphones become a part of the manager-employee relationship through user-device attachment and this can change connectivity expectations for both employees and managers.

Research limitations/implications

Due to participant numbers, these findings may not be generalizable to all employees and managers who receive company smartphones. However, the authors have important implications for theory. The smartphone influence on the psychological climate and its role as a signal for workplace expectations suggest that mobile information and communication technology devices must be considered in psychological contract formation, development, change and breach.

Practical implications

The perceived expectations can lead to hyper-connectivity which can have a number of negative performance and health outcomes such as technostress, burnout, absenteeism and work-life conflict.

Social implications

Smartphone usage and user-device attachment have the potential to redefine human relations by encouraging and normalizing hyper-connected relationships.

Originality/value

This study makes an original contribution to psychological contract theory by showing that smartphones and attachment to these devices create perceived expectations to stay connected to work and create negative outcomes, especially for managers.
Exploring the organizational drivers of sexual harassment
Authors: Ollo-López Andrea , Nuñez Imanol
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and identify the organizational drivers of sexual harassment (SH).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on data from a representative sample of workers in Spain, this paper sheds light on the likelihood of SH influenced by: organizational environment and climate, organizational forms and structure, and job design parameters.

Findings

The analysis reveals that organizational climates where negative behaviors are tolerated are particularly advantageous for harassers. Furthermore, the profile of the victims of SH is that they work in isolation, are contracted through employment agencies, are not given training opportunities, and have low status in the firm. Analysis also reveals, however, that firms can reduce the risk of SH by empowering jobs and improving time flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

The use of secondary data implies some constrains: the type of measure and the failure to control for the role of SH perpetrators.

Practical implications

Managers should adopt some organizational policies, such as empower job or improve time flexibility, since they reduce the risk of SH.

Originality/value

This paper identifies some objective organizational settings where SH is more likely and provides some easy to apply solutions to prevent it.
Creating a longitudinal, data-driven 3D model of change over time in a postindustrial landscape using GIS and CityEngine
Authors: Arnold John David McEwen , Lafreniere Don
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a longitudinal data-driven model of change over time in a postindustrial landscape, using the “Copper Country” of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a case study. The models resulting from this project will support the heritage management and public education goals of the contemporary communities and Keweenaw National Historical Park that administer this nationally significant mining region through accessible, engaging, and interpretable digital heritage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies Esri’s CityEngine procedural modeling software to an existing historical big data set. The Copper Country Historical Spatial Data Infrastructure, previously created by the HESA lab, contains over 120,000 spatiotemporally specific building footprints and other built environment variables. This project constructed a pair of 3D digital landscapes comparing the built environments of 1917 and 1949, reflecting the formal and functional evolution of several of the most important copper mining, milling, and smelting districts of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.

Findings

This research discovered that CityEngine, while intended for rapid 3D modeling of the contemporary urban landscape, was sufficiently robust and flexible to be applied to modeling serial historic industrial landscapes. While this novel application required some additional coding and finish work, by harnessing this software to existing big data sets, 48,000 individual buildings were rapidly visualized using several key variables.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new and useful application of an existing 3D modeling software, helping to further illuminate and inform the management and conservation of the rich heritage of this still-evolving postindustrial landscape.
Perfect bodies
Authors: Strubel Jessica , Petrie Trent A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how dimensions of body image relate to product involvement among gay men.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey consisting of body image and product involvement measures was administered to 147 self-identified gay men. Multiple regression was used to examine the relations of the significant body image variables to each of the consumer behavior outcomes in separate analyses.

Findings

The more the men were behaviorally invested in their appearance predicted a higher frequency of shopping each month for apparel and grooming-related products. The stronger the men’s psychological drive to have a lean body and the more they focused on their appearance and invested in their looks, the more likely they were to view apparel as important to them. The more psychologically and behaviorally involved the gay men reported being with their appearance, the more importance they gave to grooming-related products.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was drawn primarily from a college population, limiting findings to this age cohort.

Practical implications

The findings of the current research demonstrate the importance of appearance management products to the gay market, where commodities are often used to enhance or maintain a perceived self-image. Retailers can use this information to establish appropriate service options and effective marketing initiatives.

Originality/value

This study replicated others that have investigated gay men’s involvement in consumer products. However, the current study looked at the relationship between involvement and body image.
Fashion and women’s self-concept: a typology for self-fashioning using clothing
Authors: McNeill Lisa S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

An individual’s identity is defined in the role that they devise for themselves, based on social positions. Examining identity motives can help in understanding what influences one to take on a particular role. Self-esteem is one of the major motivational drivers in determining the role that an individual takes on. Individuals, through self-presentation, are said to be motivated to control the impressions others form of them. In this way, self-concept and fashion innovativeness are linked – with prior research suggesting that those with high levels of fashion innovativeness are also those with a strong sense of self. Where a gap remains, however, in exploring the direction of the relationship between self-concept and being more innovative and fashionable in clothing choices, as well as how individuals reflexively judge their own fashion choices against their perception of others – e.g. can you force yourself to be a fashion leader? The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes a lived experience approach to examine fashion as a tool in establishing social hierarchies amongst women. The study uses depth interviews with ten women to explore the developed self-concept of women actively engaged with fashion consumption.

Findings

The research presents a typology of fashion identities, exploring notions of security, dominance and innovativeness in self-fashioning using clothing.

Research limitations/implications

The research is exploratory, and limited to a sample of ten women. However, the study offers a number of key findings to drive future research in this area.

Practical implications

The research finds that both security of self-concept, in relation to fashion and general self-esteem, as well as insecurity, can motivate women towards fashion independence. This suggests that identity-based marketing is likely to be more successful than lifestyle-based marketing, when selling women’s fashion clothing.

Social implications

In prior research, self-concept and fashion innovativeness are linked – with prior research suggesting that those with high levels of fashion innovativeness are also those with a strong sense of self. This study finds that those with an insecure sense of self may also exhibit fashion independence, using fashion to acquire social capital.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the concept that, unlike previous notions of fashion independence and engagement with fashion, these fashion-involved categorisations of behaviour are not always driven by sophistication, confidence, creativity and low fear of risk. Instead, this study has shown that fashion innovativeness can be motivated by an overarching fear of the outcomes of being judged unfashionable.
Tracing brand constellations in social media: the case of Fashion Week Stockholm
Authors: Geissinger Andrea , Laurell Christofer
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of fashion weeks on brand constellations of participating fashion companies in social media.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyses how brand constellations take form for seven Swedish fashion companies before, during and after Fashion Week Stockholm. In total, 3,449 user-generated contents referring to the sampled brands were collected and analysed.

Findings

On average, brand constellations of participating companies are increasingly incorporating other participating brands as a result of the fashion week. Based on the presented results, four brand constellation outcomes for participating fashion companies are identified: brand constellation amplification, concentration, division and dilution.

Research limitations/implications

As this paper is focussed on the Swedish market, additional results from fashion weeks taking place in other cities would be beneficial to verify the four brand constellation outcomes.

Practical implications

The results question the resilience of professionally curated brand constellations due to the emergence of user-driven constellations that also shape the position of fashion brands. Therefore, this development can potentially have a considerable impact on often carefully orchestrated brand positioning strategies executed by fashion companies.

Social implications

Digitally fuelled interdependences of brand constellations by professionals and consumers attest to the dilution of borders between consumers and producers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the field of fashion marketing and management by identifying four different brand constellation outcomes in social media for participating fashion companies as a result of fashion weeks and how to managerially handle these respective outcomes.
Psychological trauma in professionals working with traumatised children
Authors: Ireland Carol A. , Huxley Siona
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Clinical professionals working with psychologically traumatised children in the care system can experience potential challenges maintaining their own positive psychological health, and when repeatedly being exposed to the traumatic histories of those in their care. The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of vicarious trauma and provide a guide for focussing on future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a systematic literature review, considering 13 articles that met the criteria and identified five main themes linked to secondary traumatic stress/vicarious trauma in staff.

Findings

Five main themes were noted. These are: lack of organisational support; lack of health work-life balance; lack of appropriate training; failure to use self-care techniques; and staff failure to share when they are experiencing symptoms.

Practical implications

Various implications are noted from this review. These include: the importance of education and support for staff, to be mindful that newer staff may be considered an “at risk” group for the negative impact of such trauma, and to encourage staff in achieving an effective work-life balance.

Originality/value

This is a focussed systematic review on secondary and vicarious trauma on staff working with children exposed to psychological trauma, such as sexual and physical abuse.
Overcoming the symbolic violence of orthodox accounting practice: an intellectual capital perspective
Authors: Dumay John , Rooney Jim
Published: January 2018

Purpose

While intellectual capital (IC) accounting research has concentrated on private enterprise, it is also germane to the public sector given pressures to create government business enterprises. However, despite the impetus for change, IC accounting is not a widespread practice in any sector. To understand the paradox, the purpose of this paper is to present a longitudinal narrative of IC accounting practice at an Australian public sector organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Bourdieu’s theory of practice is adopted in a single longitudinal case study to examine orthodox and heterodox accounting processes along with the resultant “field of opinion” created by IC discourse.

Findings

For an innovation such as IC accounting to be utilised, the social capital associated with it must be able to overcome the symbolic violence of orthodox financial accounting practices. In essence, IC exists alongside accounting and does not replace it. However, not all actors learn about and adopt IC in the same way. Therefore, organisations cannot learn if the actors themselves cannot see how IC should not replace accounting but exists alongside it.

Practical implications

On reflection, the study supports a conclusion that IC should not be viewed as a heretical accounting practice. Rather, it serves discrete purposes that can be utilised by academics and practitioners to achieve particular ends rather than viewed as an alternative form of accounting.

Originality/value

With increasing awareness of accounting of the importance of intangible resources in the “new economy”, this study emphasises the teleological aims of IC as a complementary accounting technology.
Intellectual capital and performance measurement systems in Iran
Authors: Asiaei Kaveh , Jusoh Ruzita , Bontis Nick
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore how the effect of intellectual capital (IC) on organizational performance is indirect and mediated through performance measurement (PM) systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a survey of 128 chief financial officers of Iranian publicly listed companies. Hypotheses were tested using partial least squares regression, a structural modeling technique which is appropriate for highly complex predictive models.

Findings

Results from the structural model indicate that, in general, companies with a higher level of IC place a premium on the balanced use of PM systems in a diagnostic and interactive style. Furthermore, the results provide some evidence that IC is indirectly associated with organizational performance through the intervening variable of the balanced use of interactive and diagnostic PM systems.

Practical implications

This study sheds light on the issue of how senior management should use PM systems to take full advantage of intellectual assets which could lead to improved organizational performance.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind to synthesize a model which examines IC, PM systems, and organizational performance. Although the effect of different types of intangible assets on performance has been substantially examined in the literature, less effort has been devoted to understanding the role of PM systems in leveraging an organization’s IC.
Behavioral genetics of deception detection performance
Authors: Lee Chih-Chen , Chung Tingting (Rachel) , Welker Robert B.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Deception detection is instrumental in business management but professionals differ widely in terms of deception detection performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the genetic basis of deception detection performance using the classic twin study design and address the research question: how much variance in individual differences in deception detection performance can be accounted for by the variance in genetics vs environmental influences?

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 192 twins, with 65 pairs of monozygotic (identical) twins and 31 pairs of dizygotic (fraternal) twins participated in an experiment. A series of behavioral genetic analyses were performed.

Findings

The variability in deception detection performance was largely determined by differences in shared and non-shared environments.

Research limitations/implications

The subjects were solicited during the Twins Days Festival so the sample selection and data collection were limited to the natural settings in the field. In addition, the risks and rewards associated with deception detection performance in the study are pale in comparison with those in practice.

Practical implications

Deception detection performance may be improved through training programs. Corporations should continue funding training programs for deception detection.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study that examines the complementary influences of genetics and environment on people’s ability to detect deception.
Designing steel supply chain and assessing the embedded CO2emission based on the input-output table by using DEMATEL method
Authors: Azimifard Arezoo , Moosavirad Seyed Hamed , Ariafar Shahram
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Nowadays, green supply chain (SC) management acts as an important strategic issue for the manufacturers. The effective SC design requires the development of analytical models and design tools. Because of the key role of steel in the infrastructure of industries, this metal is called the development metal. Despite the importance of this industry and its economic and environmental impacts through its SC, the SC structure of this industry has been less studied at the macro level. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to design the structure of a steel industry SC at three levels; and second, to find the most effective and efficient carbon dioxide emitted industry among the supplier industries of the steel industry SC in China as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, due to the relationships among different industries, DEMATEL as a multi-criteria decision-making method has been applied.

Findings

A SC structure for the steel industry has been designed at three levels. The results indicated that the industries that had the highest relationship with the steel industry are mine industry, electricity, water, and gas industry, and optical and electrical equipment industry, which were recognized as the first-level suppliers for the steel industry. On the other hand, considering the relationship among the embodied carbon dioxide emissions of various industries in China as a case study, it can be said that among the steel suppliers, the most important polluting industries, respectively, are mining industry, electricity, water, and gas industry, optical and electrical equipment industry, machinery industry, chemicals and chemical products industry and coke, refined petroleum and nuclear fuel industry.

Practical implications

The developed SC can help in providing the steel industries’ managers a basic model for their supplier selection problem at the macro level. This paper can also help the industrial managers to understand the causal relationships among the suppliers of their industries. Finally, this paper can help government and industries managers to discover the most polluted industrial suppliers in the steel industry.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study belongs to the usage of DEMATEL method based on the input-output table to discover the relationships among the industries as well as identifying the main raw material suppliers of the steel industry at three levels. Furthermore, this research discovers the relationships among the embedded carbon dioxide emission of various industries in steel SC to determine the most important polluting industries in steel SC.
Trading on ETF mispricings
Authors: Kreis Yvonne , Licht Johannes W.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Prior literature has shown deviations between ETF prices and their net-asset-value (NAV) to exist. Fulkerson and Jordan (2013, p. 31) question “if there exists a true tradeable strategy” to exploit these inefficiencies. The purpose of this paper is to implement a profitable daily long-short trading strategy based on price/NAV information and explicitly accounting for trading costs.

Design/methodology/approach

For a sample of European sector ETFs, the authors analyze gross and net returns of a long-short trading strategy in the capital asset pricing model and Fama-French three-factor model.

Findings

The authors document positive gross excess return for the long-short trading strategy in all sample periods, but net excess returns to be positive only between 2008 and 2010.

Research limitations/implications

The results document a profitable long-short trading strategy exploiting deviations between ETF prices and NAV and highlight the impact of trading costs in ETF markets. Due to the limited availability of historic trading cost data, the research uses a comparatively small sample size.

Practical implications

The net profitability of long-short trading in ETFs is only found in times of high uncertainty in the stock market.

Originality/value

The inclusion of trading costs enables a detailed comparison between gross and net returns in ETF trading, addressing potential limits to arbitrage.
Exchange rate behaviour with negative interest rates: Some early negative observations
Authors: Hameed Allaudeen , Rose Andrew K.
Published: January 2018

This paper examines exchange rate behaviour during the recent period with negative nominal interest rates. We use a daily panel of data of 61 currencies from January 2010 to May 2016; during this time five economies (Denmark, EMU, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland) experienced negative nominal interest rates. We examine both effective exchange rates and bilateral rates, the latter typically measured against the Swiss franc because Switzerland has had the longest period of negative nominal rates. We examine exchange rate volatility, exchange rate changes, deviations from uncovered interest parity, and profits from the carry trade. We find that negative interest rates seem to have little effect on observable exchange rate behaviour.
Intrabronchial display of hilar‐mediastinal lymph nodes by virtual bronchoscopic navigation system
Authors: Wu Xiaodong , Shi Lingzhi , Xia Yang , Wang Ko‐pen , Li Qiang
Published: January 2018

The description of precise intrabronchial positions for the sampling of mediastinal‐hilar lymph nodes is critical to successfully perform conventional transbronchial needle aspiration. Previously published maps of mediastinal‐hilar lymph nodes were primarily drawn based on experts’ experience. We generated a virtual map of the most frequently sampled intrathoracic lymph nodes from an intrabronchial perspective using a virtual bronchoscopic navigation system, to assist with training in conventional transbronchial needle aspiration.
Evaluation of calculating carboplatin dosage in carboplatin–pemetrexed therapy as the first‐line therapy for Chinese patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Yixiang , Xing Puyuan , Wang Shouzheng , Ma Di , Mu Yuxin , Li Xue , Xu Ziyi , Li Junling
Published: January 2018

Objective

This study aims to explore the application of actual carboplatin in carboplatin plus pemetrexed regimen as first‐line treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma, and to determine the recommended dose of carboplatin for Chinese populations.

Methods

From January 2014 to April 2016, 151 advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients who received carboplatin and pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) were included. The area under the curve (AUC) of carboplatin was back‐calculated from actual dosages using the Calvert formula. According to the median of calculated AUC, patients were divided into AUC ≥4 and <4 groups.

Results

The median of AUC was 4 (1.8–5.5). A total of 79 patients had an AUC ≥4 and 72 patients had an AUC <4. The mean relative dose intensities of pemetrexed were 100.4% for the AUC ≥4 group, and 101.4% for <4 group. Baseline characteristic variables were balanced between the two groups, except for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance score (P = 0.044). The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 33.8% and 90.1%, respectively, 35.4% and 86.1% for the AUC ≥4 group, and 31.9% and 94.4% for the AUC <4 group. No significant difference was observed in ORR (P = 0.650) and DCR (P = 0.086) between the two groups.

Conclusion

Compared with an AUC of 5 or 6, the actual clinical application of AUC was generally insufficient for Chinese populations; fortunately, therapeutic efficacy remained equal. We found that AUC <4 was as adequate as AUC ≥4 in pemetrexed plus carboplatin regimen as first‐line treatment for them.
Individualized lung recruitment maneuver guided by pulse‐oximetry in anesthetized patients undergoing laparoscopy: a feasibility study
Authors: Ferrando C. , Tusman G. , Suarez‐Sipmann F. , León I. , Pozo N. , Carbonell J. , Puig J. , Pastor E. , Gracia E. , Gutiérrez A. , Aguilar G. , Belda F. J. , Soro M.
Published: January 2018

Background

We conducted this study to test whether pulse‐oximetry hemoglobin saturation (SpO2) can personalize the implementation of an open‐lung approach during laparoscopy. Thirty patients with SpO2 ≥ 97% on room‐air before anesthesia were studied. After anesthesia and capnoperitoneum the FIO2 was reduced to 0.21. Those patients whose SpO2 decreased below 97% – an indication of shunt related to atelectasis – completed the following phases: (1) First recruitment maneuver (RM), until reaching lung′s opening pressure, defined as the inspiratory pressure level yielding a SpO2 ≥ 97%; (2) decremental positive end‐expiratory (PEEP) titration trial until reaching lung′s closing pressure defined as the PEEP level yielding a SpO2 < 97%; (3) second RM and, (4) ongoing ventilation with PEEP adjusted above the detected closing pressure.

Results

When breathing air, in 24 of 30 patients SpO2 was < 97%, PaO2/FIO2 ˂ 53.3 kPa and negative end‐expiratory transpulmonary pressure (PTP‐EE). The mean (SD) opening pressures were found at 40 (5) and 33 (4) cmH2O during the first and second RM, respectively (P < 0.001; 95% CI: 3.2–7.7). The closing pressure was found at 11 (5) cmH2O. This SpO2‐guided approach increased PTP‐EE (from −6.4 to 1.2 cmH2O, P < 0.001) and PaO2/FIO2 (from 30.3 to 58.1 kPa, P < 0.001) while decreased driving pressure (from 18 to 10 cmH2O, P < 0.001). SpO2 discriminated the lung's opening and closing pressures with accuracy taking the reference parameter PTP‐EE (area under the receiver‐operating‐curve of 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80–0.99).

Conclusion

The non‐invasive SpO2 monitoring can help to individualize an open‐lung approach, including all involved steps, from the identification of those patients who can benefit from recruitment, the identification of opening and closing pressures to the subsequent monitoring of an open‐lung condition.
A utility of model input uncertainty analysis in transferring tobacco control‐related economic evidence to countries with scarce resources: results from the EQUIPT study
Authors: Németh Bertalan , Kulchaitanaroaj Puttarin , Lester‐George Adam , Huic Mirjana , Coyle Kathryn , Coyle Doug , Pokhrel Subhash , Kaló Zoltán
Published: January 2018

Aims

To inform the transferability of tobacco control‐related economic evidence to resource‐poor countries.

Methods

We ran a univariate sensitivity analysis on a return on investment (ROI) model, the European study on Quantifying Utility of Investment in Protection from Tobacco model (EQUIPTMOD), to identify key input values to which the ROI estimates were sensitive. The EQUIPTMOD used a Markov‐based state transition model to estimate the ROI of several tobacco control interventions in five European countries (England, Germany, Spain, Hungary and the Netherlands). Base case ROI estimates were obtained through average values of model inputs (throughout the five countries), which were then replaced one at a time with country‐specific values. Tornado diagrams were used to evaluate the significance of sensitivity, defined as a ≥ 10% difference in ROI estimates from the base case estimates.

Results

The ROI estimates were sensitive to 18 (of 46) input values. Examples of model inputs to which ROI estimates were sensitive included: smoking rate, costs of smoking‐related diseases (e.g. lung cancer) and general population attributes.

Conclusion

Countries that have limited research time and other resources can adapt EQUIPTMOD to their own settings by choosing to collect data on a small number of model inputs. EQUIPTMOD can therefore facilitate transfer of tobacco control related economic evidence to new jurisdictions.
Unrecorded alcohol use: a global modelling study based on nominal group assessments and survey data
Authors: Probst Charlotte , Manthey Jakob , Merey Aaron , Rylett Margaret , Rehm Jürgen
Published: January 2018

Background and aims

Alcohol use is among the most important risk factors for burden of disease globally. An estimated quarter of the total alcohol consumed globally is unrecorded. However, due partly to the challenges associated with its assessment, evidence concerning the magnitude of unrecorded alcohol use is sparse. This study estimated country‐specific proportions of unrecorded alcohol used in 2015.

Design

A statistical model was developed for data prediction using data on the country‐specific proportion of unrecorded alcohol use from nominal group expert assessments and secondary, nationally representative survey data and country‐level covariates.

Setting

Estimates were calculated for the country level, for four income groups and globally.

Participants

A total of 129 participants from 49 countries were included in the nominal group expert assessments. The survey data comprised 66 538 participants from 16 countries.

Measurements

Experts completed a standardized questionnaire assessing the country‐specific proportion of unrecorded alcohol. In the national surveys, the number of standard drinks of total and unrecorded alcohol use was assessed for the past 7 days.

Findings

Based on predictions for 167 countries, a population‐weighted average of 27.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 10.4–44.9%] of the total alcohol consumed in 2015 was unrecorded. The proportion of unrecorded alcohol was lower in high (9.4%, 95% CI = 2.4–16.4%) and upper middle‐income countries (18.3%, 95% CI = 9.0–27.6%) and higher in low (43.1%, 95% CI = 26.5–59.7%) and lower middle‐income countries (54.4%, 95% CI = 38.1–70.8%). This corresponded to 0.9 (high‐income), 1.2 (upper middle‐income), 3.2 (lower middle‐income) and 1.8 (low‐income) litres of unrecorded alcohol per capita.

Conclusions

A new method for modelling the country‐level proportion of unrecorded alcohol use globally showed strong variation among geographical regions and income groups. Lower‐income countries were associated with a higher proportion of unrecorded alcohol than higher‐income countries.
A triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomised trial of the ilioinguinal‐transversus abdominis plane (I‐TAP) nerve block for elective caesarean section
Authors: Staker J. J. , Liu D. , Church R. , Carlson D. J. , Panahkhahi M. , Lim A. , LeCong T.
Published: January 2018

This study investigated the efficacy of a new ilioinguinal‐transversus abdominis plane block when used as a component of multimodal analgesia. We conducted a prospective, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomised study of 100 women undergoing elective caesarean section. All women had spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine, 15 μg fentanyl and 150 μg morphine, as well as 100 mg diclofenac and 1.5 g paracetamol rectally. Women were randomly allocated to receive the ilioinguinal‐transversus abdominis plane block or a sham block at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was the difference in fentanyl patient‐controlled analgesia dose at 24 h. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain scores, adverse effects and maternal satisfaction. The cumulative mean (95%CI) fentanyl dose at 24 h was 71.9 (55.6–92.7) μg in the ilioinguinal‐transversus abdominis group compared with 179.1 (138.5–231.4) μg in the control group (p < 0.001). Visual analogue scale pain scores averaged across time‐points were 1.9 (1.5–2.3) mm vs. 5.0 (4.3–5.9) mm (p = 0.006) at rest, and 4.7 (4.1–5.5) mm vs. 11.3 (9.9–13.0) mm (p = 0.001) on movement, respectively. Post‐hoc analysis showed that the ilioinguinal‐transversus abdominis group was less likely to use ≥ 1000 μg fentanyl compared with the control group (2% vs. 16%; p = 0.016). There were no differences in opioid‐related side‐effects or maternal satisfaction with analgesia. The addition of the ilioinguinal‐transversus abdominis plane block provides superior analgesia to our usual multimodal analgesic regimen.
Lactate increases myotube diameter via activation of MEK/ERK pathway in C2C12 cells
Authors: Ohno Y. , Oyama A. , Kaneko H. , Egawa T. , Yokoyama S. , Sugiura T. , Ohira Y. , Yoshioka T. , Goto K.
Published: January 2018

Aim

Lactate is produced in and released from skeletal muscle cells. Lactate receptor, G‐protein‐coupled receptor 81 (GPR81), is expressed in skeletal muscle cells. However, a physiological role of extracellular lactate on skeletal muscle is not fully clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate extracellular lactate‐associated morphological changes and intracellular signals in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.

Methods

Mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were differentiated for 5 days to form myotubes. Sodium lactate (lactate) or GPR81 agonist, 3,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,5‐DHBA), was administered to the differentiation medium.

Results

Lactate administration increased the diameter of C2C12 myotubes in a dose‐dependent manner. Administration of 3,5‐DHBA also increased myotube diameter. Not only lactate but also 3,5‐DHBA upregulated the phosphorylation level of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), p42/44 extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 (ERK1/2) and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK). MEK inhibitor U0126 depressed the phosphorylation of ERK‐p90RSK and increase in myotube diameter induced by lactate. On the other hand, both lactate and 3,5‐DHBA failed to induce significant responses in the phosphorylation level of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin, p70 S6 kinase and protein degradation‐related signals.

Conclusion

These observations suggest that lactate‐associated increase in the diameter of C2C12 myotubes is induced via activation of GRP81‐mediated MEK/ERK pathway. Extracellular lactate might have a positive effect on skeletal muscle size.
Vedolizumab in patients with concurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease does not improve liver biochemistry but is safe and effective for the bowel disease
Authors: Christensen B. , Micic D. , Gibson P. R. , Yarur A. , Bellaguarda E. , Corsello P. , Gaetano J. N. , Kinnucan J. , Rao V. L. , Reddy S. , Singh S. , Pekow J. , Rubin D. T.
Published: January 2018

Background

Blocking of lymphocyte trafficking to bile ducts is a potential mechanism to alter the disease course of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Aim

To describe the effect of the α4β7 integrin antibody, vedolizumab, on liver biochemistry and disease activity in patients with PSC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

This is a retrospective multi‐centre study of adult patients with a diagnosis of both IBD and PSC. The primary outcome was change in serum alkaline phosphatase level at weeks 14 and 30. Secondary outcomes included changes in other liver biochemistries and in clinical outcomes for the bowel disease. A safety analysis for adverse events was performed.

Results

Thirty‐four patients (16 Crohn's disease, 18 ulcerative colitis) were included. Nine (26%) had a history of liver transplant. Median follow‐up on vedolizumab was 9 months (IQR: 7‐16). There was no overall change in serum alkaline phosphatase level with vedolizumab therapy (median 268 [IQR: 105‐551] IU/L at baseline versus 249 [IQR: 183‐634] IU/L, P = 0.99 at week 30). No significant changes in other liver biochemistries or the Mayo PSC Risk Score were demonstrated at week 30. Clinical remission was achieved at week 30 in 55% of Crohn's disease and 29% of ulcerative colitis patients. Seven (21%) patients ceased vedolizumab; six patients stopped therapy due to persistent IBD activity and one for worsening of liver biochemistries.

Conclusion

Vedolizumab treatment in patients with PSC and IBD did not improve liver biochemistry but was associated with improvement in bowel disease and a favourable safety profile.
Hepatitis C virus re‐treatment in the era of direct‐acting antivirals: projections in the USA
Authors: Chhatwal J. , Chen Q. , Ayer T. , Bethea E. D. , Kanwal F. , Kowdley K. V. , Wang X. , Roberts M. S. , Gordon S. C.
Published: January 2018

Background

The introduction of oral direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) has dramatically changed the landscape of HCV treatment. However, a small percentage of patients fail to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR). Understanding the number of people who fail on DAAs and require re‐treatment is important for budget impact and disease burden projections.

Aim

To quantify the number of HCV patients who fail to achieve SVR on oral DAAs (NS5A vs. non‐NS5A) and require re‐treatment.

Methods

We used a mathematical model to simulate clinical management of HCV in the USA, which included the implementation of HCV screening, treatment, and disease progression. We simulated different waves of DAA treatment and used real‐world data to extract SVR rates and market shares of available therapies.

Results

Our model projected that the number of people living without viraemia (i.e. cured) would increase from 0.70 million in 2014 to 1.78 million by 2020. Between 2014 and 2020, 1.50 million people would receive treatment with DAAs, of whom 124 000 (8.3%) are projected to fail to achieve SVR. Among those treatment failures, 66 600 (53.7%) patients would fail treatment with NS5A inhibitors and 69 600 (56.1%) would have cirrhosis. During the same period, 34 200 people would progress to decompensated cirrhosis and 27 300 would develop hepatocellular carcinoma after failing to achieve SVR.

Conclusions

Even in the era of highly effective DAAs, a significant number of patients will fail to achieve SVR and will require re‐treatment options. Timely and effective re‐treatment is essential to prevent the long‐term sequelae of HCV.
Study on the Material and Manufacturing Technology of Different Types of Longquan Ware Imitations from Dapu Kiln of Guangdong Province in the Ming Dynasty of China (ad 1368–1644)
Authors: Zhu T. Q. , Wu F. , Wan J. L. , Wang M. , Ahamed B. K. , Liu C. J. , Wang Z.
Published: January 2018

Research on ancient Longquan wares and their imitations has attracted considerable attention. Using a series of experimental methods, including micro X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ‐XRF), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), optical microscopy (OM), polarizing microscopy (PLM), dilatometry (DIL) and spectrophotometery, different samples of Longquan imitations from Dapu in Guangdong Province were collected and analysed. The study of different types of celadon from the Dapu kiln factories shows that the pale yellow body had a higher TFe2O3 content, and the body material must therefore have been treated differently or have come from a different source. The SiO2 and Al2O3 contents in the body can be used as auxiliary parameters to identify Longquan wares and its imitations. The study also found that both kinds of glaze recipe—including calcium–alkali glaze and alkali–calcium glaze—existed in the Dapu products, which suggested that while imitating Longquan ware, the potters in Dapu also showed innovation in the recipe for the glaze material. Moreover, there were some differences in the TFe2O3 content, as well as the size, number and distribution of bubbles in the different types of glaze. Finally, the study revealed that the material of both the saggars and separators were composed of another porcelain clay, different from that of the celadon body. In addition, the white and compact body of the celadon had a higher firing temperature, of 1140–1187 °C, compared with other types of wares, which had a lower firing temperature of 1050–1080 °C.
Vietnam's Post‐Cold War Hedging Strategy: A Changing Mix of Realist and Liberal Ingredients
Authors: Tran Thi Bich , Sato Yoichiro
Published: January 2018

This article aims at improving precision in the theoretical discussions of “hedging” strategy. It proposes a generalizable basket of the strategy's components. It then examines the evolution of Vietnam's hedging strategy since the end of the Cold War based on this framework. The findings show that Vietnam's hedging strategy is a dynamically changing mix of four realist and liberal ingredients (diplomatic engagement, economic engagement, soft balancing, and hard balancing). The most dominant component in Vietnam's hedging has shifted across different periods, as Vietnam reacted to China's movements in the South China Sea as well as changes in the domestic conditions and the external security environment.
Modified rib pivot lateral thoracotomy: a case series
Authors: Appelgrein C , Hosgood G
Published: January 2018

Objective

To describe a modified rib pivot thoracotomy and its clinical application in client‐owned dogs and cats.

Study design

Case series of 24 dogs and 1 cat requiring a thoracotomy.

Methods

A lateral thoracic incision over the required thoracic segment was made. The latissimus dorsi muscle was reflected dorsally. The predetermined rib was identified and the periosteum overlying the rib was elevated circumferentially, avoiding the intercostal neurovascular structures. Holes were pre‐placed above and below the proposed osteotomy site. The rib was osteotomised and pivoted cranially. The pleura was incised and the required intrathoracic procedure was then performed. The thoracic cavity was closed by pre‐placement of a suture through the pre‐placed holes within the osteotomised rib. The pleura and intercostal musculature were closed, avoiding the intercostal neurovascular structures. The rib was re‐apposed and the lateral approach was closed. The cases included were reviewed for both the rib pivoted as per the procedure required and postoperative complications.

Results

The study group comprised 8 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 2 Poodles, 2 German Shepherd Dogs, 1 each of Basset Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Vizsla, Bull Mastiff, Schnauzer, Jack Russell Terrier, Bulldog, Deerhound, Labrador Retriever and Australian Terrier, and 1 cat. A modified rib pivot thoracotomy was performed for lung lobectomy (n = 11), oesophagectomy (7), subtotal pericardectomy (5), patent ductus arteriosus ligation (1) and thoracic duct ligation (1). Follow‐up ranged from 2 to 40 weeks postoperatively. Postoperative complications included seroma formation in two dogs.

Conclusion

A modified rib pivot thoracotomy should be considered as an alternative lateral thoracic approach with good exposure, minimal complications and low morbidity.
Effects of Ojeok‐san on the Pharmacokinetics of Celecoxib at Steady‐state in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Park Sang‐In , Park Ji‐Young , Park Min‐Ju , Yim Sung‐Vin , Kim Bo‐Hyung
Published: January 2018

Ojeok‐san is a frequently used herbal medication for the management of osteoarthritic pain. We evaluated the effect of Ojeok‐san on the pharmacokinetics of celecoxib at steady‐state in healthy individuals. An open‐label, fixed‐sequence, two‐period, two‐treatment cross‐over study was conducted. In period I, the individuals received celecoxib capsule 200 mg once daily for 4 days. In period II, only Ojeok‐san (14.47 g/pack, three times daily) was administered for 4 days, followed by co‐administration with celecoxib for 4 days. On the fourth (final) day of administration, Ojeok‐san was administered as a single dose. The blood samples for pharmacokinetic evaluation were collected for up to 48 hr after the administration of celecoxib in each study period. Of the 22 enrolled individuals, 20 individuals completed the study. In the presence of Ojeok‐san, the systemic exposure of celecoxib was decreased. The geometric mean ratios ([celecoxib + Ojeok‐san]/celecoxib) and the 90% confidence intervals for the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve during dosing interval (AUCτ) of celecoxib at steady‐state were 0.725 (0.620–0.848) and 0.885 (0.814–0.962), respectively. The changes in the mean of the Cmax and AUCτ of celecoxib were greater in intermediate metabolizers of cytochrome 2C9 (CYP2C9) than in normal metabolizers. Our results suggested that the Cmax and AUCτ of celecoxib were reduced by Ojeok‐san co‐administration. This finding may be beneficial to determine the required adjustment of celecoxib dosage when co‐administered with Ojeok‐san.
The dynamics of tent‐roosts in the palm Sabal mauritiiformis and their use by bats in a montane dry forest
Authors: Herrera‐Victoria Ana María , Zuluaga‐Egas Marlyn , Rojas‐Díaz Vladimir , Valenzuela Leonor A. , Kattan Gustavo H.
Published: January 2018

Tent‐making bats modify leaves to build refuges. Leaf modification involves energetic and defense costs that should be balanced by the benefits of tent‐roosting. The alteration of the leaf's vascular system reduces the tent's life expectancy, so to obtain a benefit, bats are expected to use tents regularly as long as they remain functional and not modify more leaves than necessary. Over 2 yr, we documented the dynamics of tent construction and use by Uroderma convexum and other bat species in the palm Sabal mauritiiformis in a Colombian transitional dry forest. We also assessed tent condition and compared it to nonmodified leaves of approximately the same age in focal palms. Probability of tent use by U. convexum varied between 57 percent during a reproductive period and 4 percent outside of this period. Bats cut the main vein of folioles, partially affecting water transport in the leaf. However, there were no differences between tents and nonmodified leaves in deterioration scores or deterioration rates over 1 yr. During 2 yr, 48 tents were lost for different causes, but this loss was balanced by the construction of 51 new tents. Thus, bats maintained an excess of usable tents. Palm leaves are long‐lived and seem preadapted to sustain damage and remain viable, particularly in species growing in dry environments. We present several hypotheses to explain the advantage of maintaining a tent surplus.