bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous disclosure and information asymmetry
Authors: Russell Mark
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine whether firms with high information asymmetry disclose more information under a continuous disclosure regime, and, second, the paper examines whether continuous disclosures reduce information asymmetry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study models relations between continuous disclosures and information asymmetry using ordinary least squares regression and two-stage least squares regression.

Findings

– The study finds firms with high information asymmetry disclose more information. Further, the study finds that disclosure in the presence of high information asymmetry increases asymmetry. Finally, while bad news increases information asymmetry, the disclosure of firm-specific good and bad news is associated with reduced information asymmetry.

Originality/value

– The paper identifies conditions under which Continuous Disclosure Regime increases information in markets and influences information asymmetry.
The politics of knowledge: the responses to feminist research from academic leaders
Authors: Van den Brink Marieke
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge on the slow gender change in academia by examining university leaders’ defensive patterns of responses to feminist knowledge. Identifying the most common responses will enable scholars and practitioners engaged in equality work in academia to anticipate them and implement specialized interventions to target these arguments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author developed a reflexive, composite methodology, combining participatory action research, documentary analysis and auto-ethnography. It is an explorative study, based on author’s own interpretations and experiences while talking about gender inequality issues in the academic setting. Data are drawn from discussions stemming from public lectures and encounters in the academic setting where academic leaders were present between 2009 and 2015.

Findings

– Three patterns of responses are identified: two defensive patterns and one which provides opportunities for change. The two defensive responses resisted the feminist knowledge on the basis of methodology/epistemology or the study’s findings. The pattern of commitment shows promising opportunities for change.

Research limitations/implications

– For future research, it could be interesting to further explore the role of leaders in gender equality work. The author examines leaders who are gender aware and analyze how they champion gender equality in their organizations and what actions they take to increase equality. The actual leadership work that has to be done to create gender equal or inclusive work places is an under researched premise.

Originality/value

– Hitherto, little is known about the way the feminist knowledge is received within in the academic community. This paper zooms in on this knowledge transfer and investigates a moment where feminist knowledge and academic leaders meet and learning opportunities occur. In addition, this paper shares the hard task we have as feminist scholars, and the feelings this brings to ones one identity as a scholar.
Organizational diversity: making the case for contextual interpretivism
Authors: Greeff W. J.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to make a case for contextual interpretivism in managing diversity in organizational settings, specifically in its bearing on internal communication, going against the dominating functionalistic stance of venerated and ubiquitous approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed to explore the potential of contextual interpretivism within the mining and construction industries of South Africa, due to the fecund diversity context of its employee population.

Findings

– This paper points to the enriched understanding that could result from following a contextual interpretivistic approach to internal communication for diversity management, and in so doing discusses the ways in which this could take hold in organizations through the application of germane theoretical assertions of revered internal organizational communication literature, specifically the excellence theory and communication satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation to this research is the restricted generalizability of its empirical research. Further research is required for the exploration of the central premise in other organizational contexts.

Practical implications

– The paper provides insights into the ways in which organizations could approach its diversity management so as to speak to more than just the functional aspects thereof, and rather to the importance of nurturing an understanding of employees’ interpretation of the organization’s diversity endeavors.

Originality/value

– The implications of applying a new approach to diversity management in organizational settings is discussed and argued, offering an empirical application thereof, which gives way to practical, data-driven recommendations for use in organizational settings.
Reporting on the gender and diversity, standing working group at the European group of organizational studies colloquium
Authors: Groutsis Dimitria , van den Broek Di
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Gender and Diversity Stream, Standing Working Group (SWG) at the recent European Group of Organisational Studies (EGOS) Colloquium, which was hosted in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The paper provides an overview of the SWG before turning to the scope of the papers and a brief synopsis of three of the best papers within the context of the stream.

Design/methodology/approach

– Approach is report style following submission of a paper and participation in the three-day colloquium.

Findings

– Evidently, the Gender and Diversity Stream has secured its position within the EGOS colloquium. The stream provides an environment forum in which to present works where participants engage in critical reviews of participant’s work. The success of this growing stream is found not only in the scholarly and practical importance of the subject terrain but also in the organisation of the stream which is thematically organised to ensure participants were engaged and actively took part in the discussion.

Originality/value

– This paper presents insights on the EGOS SWG on “Gender and Diversity” and traces the topic of “critical approaches to organising and managing diversity” which was the SWG’s main theme of the stream at the EGOS Colloquium in Rotterdam 2014.
“Us foreigners”: intersectionality in a scientific organization
Authors: Wells Celeste C. , Gill Rebecca , McDonald James
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore intersectionality as accomplished in interaction, and particularly national difference as a component of intersectionality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use ethnographic, shadowing methods to examine intersectionality in-depth and developed vignettes to illuminate the experience of intersectionality.

Findings

– National difference mitigated the common assumption in scientific work that tenure and education are the most important markers of acceptance and collegiality. Moreover, national difference was a more prominent driving occupational discourse in scientific work than gender.

Research limitations/implications

– The data were limited in scope, though the authors see this as a necessity for generating in-depth intersectional data. Implications question the prominence of gender and (domestic) race/gender as “the” driving discourses of difference in much scholarship and offer a new view into how organizing around identity happens. Specifically, the authors develop “intersectional pairs” to understand the paradoxes of intersectionality, and as comprising a larger, woven experience of “intersectional netting.”

Social implications

– This research draws critical attention to how assumptions regarding national difference shape workplace experiences, in an era of intensified global migration and immigration debates.

Originality/value

– The study foregrounds the negotiation of national difference in US workplaces, and focusses on how organization around said difference happens interactively in communication.
ADS tour operators’ perspective of the Chinese tourism market and sustainable strategies for developing the Auckland city destination
Authors: Liu Claire , Hull John S.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of an exploratory research paper undertaken in Auckland, New Zealand which focused on the Approved Destination Status (ADS) inbound tour operators’ understanding of the Chinese market and their strategies for developing Auckland as a sustainable destination.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten managers out of the 25 registered ADS inbound tour operators. The qualitative responses were coded and analysed using pattern identification and categorisation of emergent themes.

Findings

– The findings profile New Zealand ADS inbound operators, summarise their knowledge of the Chinese market in terms of visitor expectations and characteristics, present the operator’s perceptions of Qualmark quality accreditation scheme and ADS Code of Conduct, and demonstrate the quality management initiatives they have developed in addition to addressing the issues within the Chinese market operation.

Originality/value

– The study provides implications for destination marketers and tour operators in terms of the sustainable operation of the growing Chinese market.
Exploring visitors’ experience using strategic experiential modules (SEMs): the case of Zoo Negara, Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Musa Ghazali , Mohammad Izzah , Thirumoorthi Thinaranjeney , Moghavvemi Sedigheh , Kasim Azilah
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of visitors using the strategic experiential modules (SEMs).

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, the authors analysed a total of 37 essays written by University of Malaya students who visited the attraction on 23 November 2013. The aim is to explore what constitutes the elements within the SEMs, pertaining to the students’ visit. The results are potentially useful for future Zoo Negara marketing communication initiatives, as well as for the management to remedy the shortfalls which have hindered Zoo Negara from operating as a self-sustaining attraction.

Findings

– The results confirmed the applicability of all five dimensions of the modules, which include both positive and negative elements. Of the five dimensions, THINK and SENSE were the most frequently expressed.

Originality/value

– Though this study offers no theoretical contribution, it does demonstrate the applicability of the Schmitt theory on SEMs and the usefulness of such an application from the managerial perspective.
Success factors of health tourism: cases of Asian tourism cities
Authors: Lee Joohyun , Kim Hong-bumm
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to delineate a clear definition of health tourism, and to explain it in two sub-categories, namely, medical tourism, and wellness tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

– Grounded theory approach through an in-depth literature review and practical data from three different cities were researched to support the study.

Findings

– Determinants of travelers’ decision making for the destination of health tourism, such as distance, cost, language, economy, competency of medical technology, and culture, in each classification of health tourism, were identified.

Originality/value

– This study suggests an inductive research model to synthesize and structure a logical relationship of determinants that affect health tourists’ decision to visit specific health tourism destinations. The results of this study are quite revealing to governments, industrial practitioners, and potential customers of health tourism in terms of the context of health tourism and the behavior of health tourists.
Associations between organisations’ motivated workforce and environmental performance
Authors: Rae Kirsten , Sands John , Gadenne David Leslie
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the association between a motivated and prepared workforce and environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Self-administered surveys were used to collect data for the study from 300 organisations operating in Australia. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the robustness of the various measurement models, and structural equation modelling was used to test the two propositions for this study.

Findings

– The results identify significant associations between affective commitment, employee performance process and training and enhanced environmental performance, which is mediated through the value-creating processes, work practices, process improvement and innovation process. Also, there is a set of sequential associations between work practices and process improvement and well as process improvement and innovation process.

Practical implications

– The study has identified specific management practices that enhance environmental performance. The findings add to the body of knowledge because previous studies focused on general conceptual rather than actual management practices. The implications for practice are that organisations should enhance organisational affective commitment to their environmental strategy, tailor employee performance processes and provide regular, specific training to employees to improve processes that lead to better environmental performance.

Originality/value

– Results, mentioned in findings above, provide some specificity to associations that had been illustrated and explained previously in an abstract or conceptual framework. A framework of identified associations provides a basis for future research and for practical application to assist with organisational environmental performance as part of a corporate sustainability strategy.
Evaluation of the Building Everyday Life positive parenting programme
Authors: Torío-López Susana , Peña-Calvo José Vicente , Inda-Caro Mercedes , Fernández-García Carmen María , Rodríguez Menéndez Carmen
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the Building Everyday Life programme is to improve parenting outcomes through better sharing of family responsibilities and to encourage a strong sense of solidarity and community.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data have been obtained from the pre-test and post-test applications, respectively, using two instruments: the Inventory of Parenting and Family Life Patterns and Resources, and the Final Evaluation Questionnaire for parents. The authors also use these tools to evaluate the degree to which the changes are maintained six months after the completion of the programme. Participants in the study comprised a group of 35 individuals that included parents in nuclear families and single mothers. The assessment process involved three stages: a pre-test assessment, a qualitative report (summative assessment) and, finally, a post-test assessment at least six months after completion of the programme.

Findings

– The results show lasting changes over time. Regarding domestic work, parents say that they are more aware of the need to achieve a fairer and more equal distribution of the tasks in question. Families also report that they have perceived changes in the dimensions of communication and conflict resolution. Bearing in mind the limited nature of the aforementioned changes, the results suggest the need for support processes over time, as well as the establishment of follow-up sessions with families.

Originality/value

– The main contribution of the study is to show that the Building Everyday Life programme is effective and valuable in improving parental educational styles.
Counterfeiting, fashion and the civil society
Authors: Meraviglia Laura
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The paper deals with counterfeiting, its problems and its effects, analyzing the case of Italy in particular. The purpose of this paper is to underline the scale of the phenomenon and its economic and social impact on the fashion industry and civil society, concentrating on the involvement of organized crime. Lastly, it offers some possible counter-strategies for detecting continual violations and ensuring it spreads no further.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses a multidisciplinary approach to the issue of counterfeiting in the fashion industry; beginning with an economic analysis of the phenomenon and examines its social implications, going deeper into the role of the consumer from a sociological point of view and, from a forensic one, the role of organized crime.

Findings

– Three things emerge from the analysis of the main features of the connection between counterfeiting, the fashion industry and the consequences for civil society: the size of the phenomenon, the low level of awareness in government and civil society about the seriousness of the problem, and the link with organized crime (and resulting social implications).

Social implications

– The main social implications of this work concern first the role of consumers, who may vary greatly in the degree of awareness they exercise when buying, and second the close connections between organized crime and the counterfeiting supply chain.

Originality/value

– Counterfeiting has become a global business. In Italy it has reached huge dimensions and has developed some peculiar aspects, particularly in the fashion industry: this paper brings out these economic, social and criminal aspects. In order to effectively tackle this problem, therefore, it is essential to work out both supply side and demand-side strategies and to strengthen co-operation across national borders, taking steps to control the whole supply chain as well as working to educate consumers.
Sustainability innovators and anchor draggers: a global expert study on sustainable fashion
Authors: Pedersen Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum , Andersen Kirsti Reitan
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore current barriers and opportunities for sustainability in the fashion industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a study among 36 fashion experts from academia, industry, and non-governmental organizations, who took part in an online study on sustainable fashion.

Findings

– The results from the study indicates that the fashion industry faces immense social and environmental challenges and that the scale and scope of current approaches to sustainability are limited and fail to address more fundamental challenges linked to the dominant business models and consumption behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

– As the study is based on the knowledge, values, attitudes, and cultural stances of the participating experts it cannot claim to provide a picture of the “real world.” Nonetheless it contributes with a nuanced understanding of current challenges and opportunities within the industry, as experienced by key stakeholders in the field.

Originality/value

– The expert study approach moves beyond “good practice” case studies and allow a broader discussion of micro- and macro challenges for sustainability within the fashion industry. The learnings gained through such an approach could inspire future system level research as well as business model innovation in the industry.
The cooperative-collective sharing arrangement of gated communities in Malaysia
Authors: Zainudin Ainur Zaireen , Hussin Khadijah
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discover the operational character of gated communities in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on a small case study conducted in Iskandar Malaysia, an economic development region located in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. In the case study, 12 housing developers were interviewed, involving 32 gated communities altogether. The investigation covered the identification of the governing document used in operating a gated community, the operational purposes and scopes, the arrangement for collection of maintenance fee, and the internal governance within the gated communities.

Findings

– From the analysis, it was found that two types of gated communities exist in the case study areas, namely the strata gated community scheme, and the gated community scheme (GACOS). The operational mechanism for the former is through a set of rules enforced by the government. Meanwhile, the latter is based on the arrangement set up either by the developer, where legal agreement is applicable, or through the consensus among homeowners. However, despite these differences, both mechanisms share the same intention, that is to operate the gated community based on cooperative-collective sharing arrangement.

Research limitations/implications

– Despite the vulnerability of GACOS enclosure components, the case study revealed that the number of GACOS is still bigger than the strata gated community scheme. Since this perspective is lacking in this paper, it is suggested that more studies are conducted to explain the reasons behind the indicated phenomenon.

Originality/value

– The most important contribution of the paper is to highlight the importance of gating experience that is heavily influenced by the local policy setting to determine the survival of a gated community; thus, demonstrating how different they are from each other.
Office relocation management in Finland – challenges and service opportunities
Authors: Rothe Peggie , Heywood Chris , Christersson Matti , Sarasoja Anna-Liisa
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of the management of office relocations in Finnish organisations with a focus on the use of, and need for, external advisory services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study used a sequential mixed method approach. First, the use of relocation-related services, and organisations’ perception of the need for them, was assessed through a questionnaire sent to all organisations with more than 50 employees in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (HMA). The data includes 83 responses. Subsequently, service experiences, perceived service needs, and the challenges that organisations face in relocation are studied through thematic interviews with 15 organisations that have recently relocated.

Findings

– The findings show that, despite facing many challenges when relocating, many organisations do not consider using external service providers. Most organisations do not acknowledge the complexity of the process until afterwards, and they also lack knowledge of the availability of relocation-related services.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation is the population size of the questionnaire. A larger population would have allowed for more generalisations, but the results do provide insight into the organisations’ issues in managing their relocations.

Practical implications

– In order to facilitate the better organisational relocation experiences, and to develop the market for relocation-related services, service providers need to begin educating organisations of the challenges and opportunities of relocation, and successively increase the awareness of the availability of services.

Originality/value

– Relocation, when it is considered in the literature, is most often construed as being about location, or site selection. This study approaches the phenomenon from the organisations’ perspective and considers relocation a process that needs to be managed.
Role of the MoYAK1 protein kinase gene in Magnaporthe oryzae development and pathogenicity
Authors: Han Joon‐Hee , Lee Hye‐Min , Shin Jong‐Hwan , Lee Yong‐Hwan , Kim Kyoung Su
Published: August 2015

Conidiation and appressorium differentiation are key processes for polycyclic dissemination and infection in many pathogens. Our previous study using DNA microarray led to the discovery of the MoYAK1 gene in Magnaporthe oryzae that is orthologous to YAK1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although the mechanistic roles of YAK1 in S. cerevisiae have been described, roles of MoYAK1 in M. oryzae, a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for rice blast, remain uncharacterized. Targeted disruption of MoYAK1 results in pleiotropic defects in M. oryzae development and pathogenicity. The ΔMoyak1 mutant exhibits a severe reduction in aerial hyphal formation and conidiation. Conidia in the ΔMoyak1 are delayed in germination and demonstrate decreased glycogen content in a conidial age‐dependent manner. The expression of hydrophobin‐coding genes is dramatically changed in the ΔMoyak1 mutant, leading to a loss of surface hydrophobicity. Unlike the complete inability of the ΔMoyak1 mutant to develop appressoria on an inductive surface, the mutant forms appressoria of abnormal morphology in response to exogenous cyclic adenosine‐5′‐monophosphate and host‐driven signals, which are all defective in penetrating host tissues due to abnormalities in glycogen and lipid metabolism, turgor generation and cell wall integrity. These data indicate that MoYAK1 is a protein kinase important for the development and pathogenicity of M. oryzae.
Political Trust, Individual‐level Characteristics and Institutional Performance: Evidence from Finland, 2004–13
Authors: Kestilä‐Kekkonen Elina , Söderlund Peter
Published: August 2015

Several scholars agree that low political trust has fundamental negative implications for society at large. This study tests the power of institutional performance theory in explaining the differences between individuals in political trust (cross‐sectional) and fluctuations of political trust over time (longitudinal). Indeed, the dominant scholarly debate has concerned whether political trust is stable and dependent of endogenous factors such as political socialization and social trust, or whether it is exogenous (i.e., in constant fluctuation due to later experiences with institutions and the outputs they produce). In terms of cross‐sectional differences, the aim is to assess the relative impact institutional performance on political trust of a citizen. As regards the longitudinal approach, political trust varies over time and from an explanatory perspective it is important also to understand how well the institutional performance theory predicts over‐time variation of political trust. The study employs repeated European Social Survey data for Finland between 2004 and 2013. The results show, first and foremost, the strong impact of evaluations of institutional performance on political trust: satisfaction with government and economy explains differences both between individuals and over time. Social trust and welfare state performance are also strong predictors, but they explain differences only at the individual level and do not predict over‐time variations.
Restoration of Obliterated Numbers on 40NiCrMo4 Steel by Etching Method: Metallurgical and Statistical Approaches
Authors: Fortini Annalisa , Merlin Mattia , Soffritti Chiara , Garagnani Gian L.
Published: August 2015

The restoration of obliterated serial numbers is a problem of common occurrence in the forensic field. Among several restoration techniques, chemical etching is the most frequently used. The present research is aimed at studying the restoration of serial numbers, stamped on 40NiCrMo4 steel plates, by means of chemical etching. Microstructural characterization was firstly carried out to study the plastically deformed regions surrounding the marks. The obliteration was performed by controlled removals of material at increasing depths of erasure, and five etching reagents were considered to analyze their sensitivity and effectiveness. Experimental results revealed that Fry's reagent was the most sensitive, able to restore erased marks up to 60 μm under the depth of the imprint. The reagent comprising 25 mL HNO3 and 75 mL H2O provided good results, recovering the major numbers of characters. A descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to study the operator's influence on the recovered marks’ identification.
A New Approach for Copy‐Move Detection Based on Improved Weber Local Descriptor
Authors: Saadat Shabnam , Moghaddam Mohsen Ebrahimi , Mohammadi Mohsen
Published: August 2015

One of the most common image tampering techniques is copy‐move; in this technique, one or more parts of the image are copied and pasted in another area of the image. Recently, various methods have been proposed for copy‐move detection; however, many of these techniques are not robust to additional changes like geometric transformation, and they are failed to be useful for detecting small copied areas. In this paper, a new method based on point descriptors which are derived from the integration of textural feature‐based Weber law and statistical features of the image is presented. In this proposed approach, modified multiscale version of Weber local descriptor is presented to make the method robust versus geometric transformation and detect small copied areas. The results of the experiments showed that our method can detect small copied areas and copy‐move tampered images which are influenced by rotation, scaling, noise addition, compression, blurring, and mirroring.
Bulimic Behaviors and Early Substance Use: Findings from a Cotwin‐Control Study
Authors: Munn‐Chernoff Melissa A. , Grant Julia D. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Agrawal Arpana , Lynskey Michael T. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Heath Andrew C. , Duncan Alexis E.
Published: August 2015

Background

Bulimic behaviors (i.e., binge eating and compensatory behaviors) and substance use frequently co‐occur. However, the etiology underlying this association is poorly understood. This study evaluated the association between bulimic behaviors and early substance use, controlling for genetic and shared environmental factors.

Methods

Participants were 3,540 young adult women from the Missouri Adolescent Female Twin Study. A telephone adaptation of the Semi‐Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism interview assessed DSM‐IV bulimic behaviors, substance use, and other psychological characteristics. Lifetime bulimic behaviors were examined in twin pairs concordant and discordant for early substance use. Logistic regressions were adjusted for the nonindependence of twin data, zygosity, age, body mass index, early menarche (onset before age 12), and early sex (first consensual sexual intercourse before age 15).

Results

In the entire study population, women who reported early use of alcohol or nicotine were more likely to engage in bulimic behaviors after adjusting for covariates. In 53 pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for alcohol experimentation before age 15, the twin who reported early alcohol experimentation had 3.21 (95% confidence interval = 1.54 to 6.67) times higher odds of reporting bulimic behaviors than the cotwin who did not report early alcohol experimentation, even after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that early alcohol experimentation may contribute to the development of bulimic behaviors via mechanisms extending beyond shared vulnerability, including individual‐specific environmental experiences or causal pathways.
Concomitant cannabis abuse/dependence in patients treated with opioids for non‐cancer pain
Authors: Hefner Kathryn , Sofuoglu Mehmet , Rosenheck Robert
Published: August 2015

Background and Objectives

Cannabis use is common among patients taking prescription opioids, although rates of concomitant cannabis use disorder (CUD) have been largely unexamined. CUD may increase safety risks in those taking opioid pain medications but it is unknown whether cannabis and opioids function as substitutes (cannabis use is associated with less prescription opioid use), or rather as complements (cannabis is associated with increased use of prescription opioids).

Methods

We examined rates of CUD in a national sample of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients (n = 1,316,464) with non‐cancer pain diagnoses receiving opioid medications in fiscal year 2012. Using bivariate analysis to identify potentially confounding variables associated with CUD (eg, psychotropic medication, other substance use disorders) in this population, we then utilized logistic regression to examine rates of cannabis use disorder among individuals receiving different numbers of opioid prescriptions (0, 1–2, 3–10, 11–19, 20+).

Results

Descriptive analysis, largely confirmed by logistic regression, demonstrated that greater numbers of prescription opioid fills were associated with greater likelihood of CUD. This relationship was reduced somewhat for those receiving the most opioid prescriptions (20+) in the logistic regression, which controlled for potentially confounding variables.

Discussion and Conclusions

These results warrant increased attention to CUDs among patients receiving numerous opioid prescriptions. Increasing legalization of cannabis is likely to further increase use and abuse of cannabis in patients prescribed opioids.

Scientific Significance

These findings suggest that clinicians should be alert to concomitant CUD and prescription opioid use, as these substances appear to complement each other. (Am J Addict 2015;24:538–545)
Transient elevation in serum carcinoembryonic antigen while on adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer: Is this of prognostic importance?
Authors: Lawrence Nicola , Hinder Victoria , Murray Melissa , Macapagal Jerome , Thompson Paul , Sharples Katrina , Findlay Michael
Published: August 2015

Aims

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is used to detect relapses from colon cancer following initial surgical or adjuvant treatment. There are little data on transient elevations of CEA while receiving chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. We aimed to review patterns of change in CEA levels while receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and investigate associations between transient rises and patient survival.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients in Auckland with a new diagnosis of colon cancer in 2001 or 2005 was performed and CEA values were collected. Three patient groups were defined: no increase in CEA; transient elevation in CEA; and persistent elevation in CEA. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to estimate 5‐year survival; Cox regression and log‐rank P‐values were used to compare survival.

Results

Sixty‐one patients with stage II or III disease who had received adjuvant chemotherapy had sufficient CEA data to be included in the analysis. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 7.4 years (or death). The 5‐year overall survival was higher in the transient elevation in CEA group 95.0% and the no increase in CEA group 85.2% compared with the persistent elevation in CEA group 42.9%. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the transient elevation group and the no increase group (P = 0.2).

Conclusions

The group with a transient elevation in CEA during adjuvant chemotherapy did not have a poorer prognosis compared with the group that had no increase in CEA. This will be further examined in a population‐based New Zealand‐wide study of colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcome.
Phase II study of cetuximab with irinotecan for KRAS wild‐type colorectal cancer in Japanese patients
Authors: Terazawa Tetsuji , Nishitani Hitoshi , Kato Ken , Hashimoto Hironobu , Akiyoshi Kohei , Ito Yuriko , Nakamoto Akihiro , Iwasa Satoru , Nakajima Takako Eguchi , Hamaguchi Tetsuya , Yamada Yasuhide , Shimada Yasuhiro
Published: August 2015

Aim

Cetuximab improves the prognosis for wild‐type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of cetuximab in combination with irinotecan in Japanese patients with wild‐type KRAS MCRC refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidines.

Methods

Cetuximab was administered initially at a dose of 400 mg/m2, followed by weekly infusions at 250 mg/m2. Irinotecan was administered every 2 weeks at 150 mg/m2. Primary endpoint was the incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events; secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), time to treatment failure (TTF), and TTF for irinotecan.

Results

Thirty‐four patients were enrolled. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities were leucopenia (11.8%), neutropenia (23.5%), anemia (11.8%), fatigue (2.9%), anorexia (2.9%), diarrhea (14.7%) and hypomagnesemia (5.9%). Skin toxicities were as follows (any grade/grade 3): acne (94.2/8.8%), rash (55.9/0%), nail changes (75.5/8.8%) and hand‐foot syndrome (55.9/5.9%). Median PFS was 6.0 months (95%CI; 4.7–7.4). Median OS was 12.9 months (95%CI; 10.0–15.9). RR was 26.4%. Median TTF was 5.1 months and median TTF for irinotecan was 5.0 months (95%CI; 4.3–5.6).

Conclusion

Cetuximab with irinotecan therapy was well tolerated in Japanese patients with wild‐type KRAS colorectal cancer refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine, thus demonstrating the feasibility of their usage.
Artery first approach to pancreatoduodenectomy: current status
Authors: Pandanaboyana Sanjay , Bell Richard , Windsor John
Published: August 2015

Background

The need for an early determination of resectability and before an irreversible step is taken during pancreatoduodenectomy promoted the development of an ‘artery first approach' (AFA). The aim of this study was to review the current evidence related to this approach, with particular reference to margins and survival.

Methods

An electronic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed databases from 1960 to 2015 using both subject headings (MeSH) and truncated word searches to identify all published related articles to this topic.

Results

Six different AFAs have been published. Four studies evaluated the impact of AFA on perioperative outcomes and survival. Three studies showed no difference in the perioperative outcomes, margin status, lymph node yield and survival while one study showed improved margin status and survival comparing AFA with standard resection.

Conclusion

The current evidence regarding the benefits of AFA in relation to decreasing margin positivity or increasing survival is sparse. Further larger studies and randomized controlled trails are needed to ascertain the benefits of AFA.
Trends in cerclage use
Authors: Suhag Anju , Saccone Gabriele , Bisulli Maria , Seligman Neil , Berghella Vincenzo
Published: August 2015

Introduction

The indications of placement of cerclage have recently changed, and so it is important to evaluate how many women are undergoing this procedure. With the recent completion of clinical trials, it is plausible that obstetricians and perinatologists may have become more selective in terms of the best candidates for cerclage.

Material and methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent cerclage for prevention of preterm birth in the Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia, USA) over a 16‐year period, from 1998 to 2013. We included women with singleton gestations who had a history‐indicated (HIC) or ultrasound‐indicated cerclage (UIC). Physical examination‐indicated cerclage and transabdominal cerclage were excluded. We planned to compare data before and after 2005.

Results

From 1998 to 2013, there were 33 353 deliveries, of which 16 871 occurred from 1998 to 2005 and 16 482 from 2006 to 2013. Of all deliveries, 328 women (1.0%) received HIC or UIC, and were therefore included in the analysis. Between 1998–2005 and 2006–2013 there were significant decreases in the overall rate of cerclage (1.4% to 0.6%; p < 0.001), as well as the rate of HIC (0.8% to 0.2%; p < 0.001) and UIC (0.6% to 0.3%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

During the last 16 years, the overall rate of HIC and UIC cerclage at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital significantly declined from 1.4% to 0.6%; significant decreases were seen for both HIC and UIC. The reason for the lower rate of cerclages may be the recently published evidence.
Assisted reproductive technology treatment in women with severe eating disorders: a national cohort study
Authors: Assens Maria , Ebdrup Ninna H. , Pinborg Anja , Schmidt Lone , Hougaard Charlotte O. , Hageman Ida
Published: August 2015

Introduction

This national retrospective cohort study investigates the prevalence of women with severe eating disorders in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment compared with an age‐matched background population without ART treatment. It assesses the frequency distribution of the first and last eating disorder diagnosis before, during, and after ART treatment, and evaluates differences in obstetric outcomes between women with and without a severe eating disorder.

Material and methods

Hospital‐diagnosed eating disorders among 42 915 women in the Danish National ART cohort (DANAC), registered during 1994–2009 in the mandatory Psychiatric Central Research Register, were compared with a non‐eating disorder ART cohort of 42 644 women and an age‐matched background population of 215 290 women without a history of ART treatment for the main outcome measures prevalence of eating disorders, frequency distribution of diagnoses before/during/after ART treatment, as well as ART treatment and obstetric outcomes.

Results

In the ART cohort, 271 women (0.63%) had an eating disorder diagnosis compared with 0.73% in the background population (p = 0.025). The prevalence of ovulatory disorder was significantly higher in women with a severe eating disorder compared with the ART cohort without eating disorders. Obstetric outcomes were similar in ART‐treated women with and without an eating disorder.

Conclusion

Women with severe eating disorders were identified in the ART cohort, although significantly less often than in the age‐matched background population. Women with severe eating disorders suffered more often from anovulatory infertility than the ART comparison cohort without this disease. Obstetric outcomes appeared reassuring in the ART cohort with eating disorders.
Tree Species Composition Predicts Epiphytic Lichen Communities in an African Montane Rain Forest
Authors: Frisch Andreas , Rudolphi Jörgen , Sheil Douglas , Caruso Alexandro , Thor Göran , Gustafsson Lena
Published: August 2015

The ecology of many tropical rain forest organisms, not the least in Africa, remains poorly understood. Here, we present a detailed ecological study of epiphytic lichens in the equatorial montane rain forest of Bwindi National Park (331 km2), Uganda. We evaluated all major lichen growth forms, including selected groups of crustose lichens. In 14 transects at elevations of 1290 m to 2500 m, we sampled 276 trees belonging to 60 species. We recorded all lichen species on each tree trunk between ground level and 2 m above the ground, yielding 191 lichen species in 67 genera, with a mean of 4.7 species per tree. We used non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling to separate epiphytic lichen assemblages according to tree species composition and elevation. Structural equation modeling indicated that elevation influenced tree species composition and that tree species composition largely determined lichen species composition. Thus, elevation acted indirectly on the lichen assemblages. Further studies examining factors such as bark properties and lichen colonization ecology may clarify what determines the association between tree species and lichen assemblages. The link between lichen assemblages and large‐scale elevation patterns, as well as disturbance and regrowth histories, warrants further study. An analysis of lichen species composition on individual tree species that occur over large elevation ranges would distinguish the effect of tree species on lichen assemblages from the effect of elevation and thus climate. Our study highlights the limited extent of our knowledge of tropical epiphytic lichens.
Recruitment Distance from the Nearest Reproductive Conspecific Increases with Tree Size in Tropical Premontane Wet Forests
Authors: Sugiyama Anna
Published: August 2015

Studies have shown that median distances of plants from the nearest reproductive conspecific (recruitment distance) shifts outward with increasing age or size class, and that plant spatial distribution changes over time in a predictable manner. However, observations and empirical evidence for such predictable changes are limited, and underlying mechanisms explaining such patterns for a wide range of individual sizes are not fully explored. In Costa Rican premontane wet forests, I empirically tested whether recruitment distance changes in a predictable manner with increasing size for five animal‐dispersed tree species by considering all post‐germination sizes. Specifically, I tested the Janzen–Connell hypothesis and the colonization hypothesis by considering distance, density, size, herbivory, biotic infection, and light availability simultaneously. Recruitment distance increased with increasing size (16–22 m) for the four non‐pioneer species, suggesting eventual regeneration success for seeds dispersed away from reproductive conspecifics. During the 2 years of this study, I found positive distance‐dependent survivorship and light availability were important for post‐seedling survivorship, in agreement with the Janzen–Connell hypothesis and the colonization hypothesis, respectively, but only for seedlings. However, seedlings did not escape aboveground herbivory or biotic infection better when the seeds were dispersed greater distances. Results highlight the importance of seed dispersal for successful regeneration, and suggest that changes in spatial distribution over time may be predictable in the vicinity of maternal trees for some non‐pioneer tree species.
Potential roles of microRNA‐29a in the molecular pathophysiology of T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Oliveira Lucila H. , Schiavinato Josiane L. , Fráguas Mariane S. , Lucena‐Araujo Antonio R. , Haddad Rodrigo , Araújo Amélia G. , Dalmazzo Leandro F. , Rego Eduardo M. , Covas Dimas T. , Zago Marco A. , Panepucci Rodrigo A.
Published: August 2015

Recent evidence has shown that deregulated expression of members of the microRNA‐29 (miR‐29) family may play a critical role in human cancer, including hematological malignancies. However, the roles of miR‐29 in the molecular pathophysiology of T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) has not been investigated. Here, we show that lower levels of miR‐29a were significantly associated with higher blast counts in the bone marrow and with increased disease‐free survival in T‐ALL patients. Furthermore, miR‐29a levels are extremely reduced in T‐ALL cells compared to normal T cells. Microarray analysis following introduction of synthetic miR‐29a mimics into Jurkat cells revealed the downregulation of several predicted targets (CDK6, PXDN, MCL1, PIK3R1, and CXXC6), including targets with roles in active and passive DNA demethylation (such as DNMT3a, DNMT3b, and members of the TET family and TDG). Restoring miR‐29a levels in Jurkat and Molt‐4 T‐ALL cells led to the demethylation of many genes commonly methylated in T‐ALL. Overall, our results suggest that reduced miR‐29a levels may contribute to the altered epigenetic status of T‐ALL, highlighting its relevance in the physiopathology of this disease.