bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fostering performance through leaders’ behavioral competencies
Authors: Tognazzo Alessandra , Gubitta Paolo , Gerli Fabrizio
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to identify which top leaders’ behavioral emotional intelligence (EI)-competencies affect firm performance when considering the overall organization orientation toward efficiency, human resources and adaptability to the external environment as an interface (i.e. a filter) between the individual leader and firm outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted on a sample of Italian top leaders. The authors used a cross-level analysis that distinguishes individual characteristics, mid-level performance determinants and organizational results. The authors used a variety of methods of assessment: behavioral event interviews for top leaders’ EI-competencies; subject matter experts’ evaluations for organizational orientation; a non-parametric statistical analysis for distinctive competencies; objective financial data for firm financial performance. To identify which competencies impact on financial performance, factor and regression analysis was used.

Findings

In firms oriented toward efficiency, human resources and adaptability to the external environment, top leaders’ people management EI-competencies are the most frequent distinctive abilities. These distinctive competencies can be further distinguished into task, relationship and change-oriented behaviors, although only the first two appear to be related to firm performance.

Practical implications

To foster firm performance, top leaders should leverage certain EI-related competencies, especially those that are task and relationship oriented. Leaders should not only see the organization as an extension of themselves but also be aware that the organization might obstacle their individual impact.

Originality/value

This original empirical study uses different data sources and methodologies, it assesses a multi-level model and is conducted in Italy. No previous empirical study has considered the organization as a filter – and not an enhancer – between the top leader and firm performance.
The impact of ownership structure on financial reporting quality in the east
Authors: Yasser Qaiser Rafique , Mamun Abdullah Al , Hook Margurite
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to focus mainly on the relationship between ownership structure and earnings management of a developed and two developing economies, and is distinct from prior research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of firms from three countries (Australia, Malaysia and Pakistan), the detailed ownership evolutions for the period 2011-2013 were observed.

Findings

Overall, the authors find that in the East, ownership concentration is negatively associated with financial reporting quality. Individual ownership and group ownership were negatively associated with earnings management in Pakistan, however, not in Malaysia where the same were positively associated. Further, the result of this study indicated that state ownership is negatively associated with firm performance. Among the control variables, it was found that larger firms were negatively correlated with financial reporting, while firms with a larger board size and mature in the maneuver were coupled positively with earnings management.

Originality/value

The results highlight the highly individualized effects of blockholders and the need for research to further understand the mechanisms through which shareholders impact financial reporting quality.
Deliberate change without hierarchical influence? The case of collaborative OSS communities
Authors: Nørskov Sladjana , Kesting Peter , Ulhøi John Parm
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present that deliberate change is strongly associated with formal structures and top-down influence. Hierarchical configurations have been used to structure processes, overcome resistance and get things done. But is deliberate change also possible without formal structures and hierarchical influence?

Design/methodology/approach

This longitudinal, qualitative study investigates an open-source software (OSS) community named TYPO3. This case exhibits no formal hierarchical attributes. The study is based on mailing lists, interviews and observations.

Findings

The study reveals that deliberate change is indeed achievable in a non-hierarchical collaborative OSS community context. However, it presupposes the presence and active involvement of informal change agents. The paper identifies and specifies four key drivers for change agents’ influence.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to organisational analysis by providing a deeper understanding of the importance of leadership in making deliberate change possible in non-hierarchical settings. It points to the importance of “change-by-conviction”, essentially based on voluntary behaviour. This can open the door to reducing the negative side effects of deliberate change also for hierarchical organisations.
Demographic differences of perceived service quality in emergency rooms of hospital organizations
Authors: Shuv-Ami Avichai , Shalom Tamar
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test three visual, demographically based perceptions of service quality at several emergency rooms (ERs) of hospital organizations in Israel.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on the evaluations of 1,002 people who accompanied a patient to hospital ERs in Israel. The data were collected randomly from an internet panel that comprised more than 50,000 people aged over 18 years.

Findings

The findings showed that female patients were perceived as receiving significantly lower service quality than males; elderly patients were treated well by medical staff, and treatment was similar to all other adult groups; children were perceived as receiving the best service; and religious individuals perceived service quality in ERs at a higher level than non-religious patients.

Research limitations/implications

The current study uses a service quality scale derived from a marketing scale that was modified to study the quality of service in hospital ERs. The current study measures only differences in visual demographics.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to provide the ER staff of hospital organizations with some knowledge about the ways which their service is perceived and encourages a more sensitive attitude toward their patients’ needs. This may influence the hospital customer satisfaction and the hospital financial bottom-line.
Smart spare parts management systems in semiconductor manufacturing
Authors: Zheng Meimei , Wu Kan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a smart spare parts inventory management system for a semiconductor manufacturing company.

Design/methodology/approach

With the development of the Internet of Things and big data analytics, more information can be obtained and shared between fabs and suppliers.

Findings

On the basis of the characteristics of spare parts, the authors classify the spare parts into two types, the consumable and contingent parts, and manage them through a cyber-physical inventory management system.

Originality/value

In this new business model, the real time information from machines, shop floors, spare parts database and suppliers are used to make better decisions and establish transparency and flexibility between fabs and suppliers.
Digital design and manufacturing of wood head golf club in a cyber physical environment
Authors: Chang Danni , Chen Chun-Hsien
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a cyber physical environment for digital product design and manufacturing. To realize this goal, the specific issue of integrating design knowledge-based system (KBS) and 3D printing (3DP) system is focused. A graphics generation method is thereby developed to transform the KBS outputs into graphical format which can be directly read and manufactured by 3DP system.

Design/methodology/approach

A graphics generation method is proposed in this paper. Through organizing alphanumeric outputs of the consultation session with a design KBS into parametric format, the consultation results can be directly used by computer-aided design (CAD) tools to generate graphical models which can be further exported into a 3DP system to produce physical objects.

Findings

The proposed graphics generation method can be effective to link design KBS and 3DP. Therefore, the seamless connection between design and prototyping systems can be realized, which further lays the communication foundation for a cyber physical environment for digital design and manufacturing.

Originality/value

This study provides research insights about potential cyber physical system applications in digital design and manufacturing area. Moreover, this paper contributes an effective technique to integrate design KBS and 3DP.
Design a degradation condition monitoring system scheme for rolling bearing using EMD and PCA
Authors: Wu Jun , Wu Chaoyong , Lv Yaqiong , Deng Chao , Shao Xinyu
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Rolling bearings based on rotating machinery are one of the most widely used in industrial applications because of their low cost, high performance and robustness. The purpose of this paper is to describe how to identify degradation condition of rolling bearing and predict its fault time in big data environment in order to achieve zero downtime performance and preventive maintenance for the rolling bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

The degradation characteristic parameters of rolling bearings including intrinsic mode energy and failure frequency were, respectively, extracted from the pre-processed original vibration signals using EMD and Hilbert transform. Then, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and PCA were used to obtain the health index of the rolling bearing so as to detect the appearance of degradations. Furthermore, the degradation condition of the rolling bearings might be identified through implementing the monotonicity analysis, robustness analysis and degradation analysis of the health index.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by a case study. The result shows that the proposed method can be applied to monitor the degradation condition of the rolling bearings in industrial application.

Research limitations/implications

Further experiment remains to be done so as to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method using Apache Hadoop when massive sensor data are available.

Practical implications

The paper proposes a methodology for rolling bearing condition monitoring representing the steps that need to be followed. Real-time sensor data are utilized to find the degradation characteristics.

Originality/value

The result of the work presented in this paper form the basis for the software development and implementation of condition monitoring system for rolling bearings based on Hadoop.
Ideas for growing executive education revenue: codification and catalyst
Authors: Haskins Mark E. , Centini Lou , Shaffer George R.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to codify a comprehensive array of executive education (EE) revenue growth ideas that are implementable in their own right or that spark other, related growth ideas.

Design/methodology/approach

The EE revenue growth ideas presented are an outgrowth of: a collective and personal “reflections from practice” process that embraced nearly a century of combined years in the talent management and EE sales, design, and delivery arena; and a focused “ideation” process sparked by the contemporary business literature devoted to profitable growth models.

Findings

In total, a robust list and description of 90 EE revenue growth ideas are succinctly chronicled.

Research limitations/implications

The 90 ideas presented here, although rooted in nearly a century of the authors’ combined EE experience, are nonetheless limited by their experience. The array of ideas, and variants of those presented, are constrained only by the unique experience and creativity of other conscientious EE program designers and stewards. The inventory of 90 ideas is a robust start that can be extended, modified, and used as a catalyst for ongoing EE revenue growth discussions and research.

Practical implications

The growth ideas presented are immediately actionable and potentially galvanizing for EE providers. In addition, EE clients whose interest is piqued by any of the ideas, can approach their own providers to initiate a tailored talent development process rooted in one or more of the ideas. Of note, the extensive list has been crafted to have a long shelf life and thus this paper can effectively serve as a reference for ongoing use.

Originality/value

The authors are not aware of any prior articles presenting such a myriad of ideas for EE providers (and clients) to potentially renew and expand their portfolio of activities with the aim of revenue growth. Moreover, the paper is both an inventory of ready ideas as well as an array of catalysts for specific providers (and clients) to pursue their own related, or parallel, ideas.
Can group climate explain innovative readiness for change?
Authors: Schultz Joseph Samuel , Sjøvold Endre , Andre Beate
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Globally, elderly populations are increasing at unprecedented rates. This has precipitated change in the way practitioners are thinking of delivering eldercare services, especially in the public sector. In Norway, innovation scholars, the Norwegian government, and most municipalities delivering eldercare services agree that they must innovate to meet upcoming demands. However, infrastructural impacts are not expected for 15 years. Thus, the more difficult question becomes when a change is so distant, when or with whom should you innovate? The purpose of this paper is to determine innovative readiness by looking at group climate.

Design/methodology/approach

The study will explore the differences between two groups within an organization: one group that participated (participant group) in formal innovation training and and the other group (nonparticipant group that did not participate in the training). The differences in each group’s climate will be explored using a t-test.

Findings

There exist two identifiable group climates within the same organization. The participant group’s climate indicated that their members are ready for innovative change by showing that they are task oriented (C2), engaged (S1), and have an overall positive attitude toward innovation (A1 and A2). On the contrary, the nonparticipant group’s climate indicates that their members are not ready for innovative change. This group has a dominant role of acceptance (D2), rather than pursuing ideas or causes they believe in, they accept those tasks given to them. Each group’s level of innovation understanding was relatively similar prior to any formal training.

Originality/value

This research shows that even though a manager within an organization is championing or encouraging innovative behavior, there can still exist two different group climates: a group that is genuinely interested in innovation and one that is not. Should participation in innovation training be mandatory or voluntary? This study showed the latter that the participant group’s climate indicated its members were more ready for innovative change, while the nonparticipant group’s climate indicated its members were not. This could be an important group dynamic for managers to consider when building a new innovative initiative, especially if that organization struggles with maintaining engagement and positivity for that change.
The road not taken: narratives of action and organizational change
Authors: Solouki Zahra
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of the importance and function of narratives in the context of organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Schutz’s theory of human intentional action, the author introduces the concept of a mental plan – broadly referring to the mental rehearsal of a future act – and builds a conceptual framework that connects mental plans to narratives. Viewing actions through the lens of mental plans and narratives would prompt a combination of rigid clarity and flexible vagueness in both the action and the stories. Considering this, the author developed a longitudinal case study on organizational change in an international company amid an intense renewal process. Several narratives about the project of organizational change were studied, and these revealed some of the functions that narratives serve as well as their importance in connecting plans of human action with the actual execution of those actions. This paper identifies numerous distinct narratives, created by different actors, which focus on the process of setting and reaching a final goal. The content of these narratives reveals how different views and strategies co-exist simultaneously in the organization, even when actors are trying to achieve the same goal.

Findings

Traditionally, management takes an analytical approach to understand how change occurs in organizations. This paper emphasizes the importance and functions of narratives as a fundamental component of organizational change. On par with the linear plan of action, it is argued that the assortment of narratives delivered from various points of views in the organization are, indeed, the driver of change, and their dynamic interaction would determine the outcome of a change project.

Originality/value

The paper advances the understanding of the role of narratives in organizational change. This paper emphasizes the difficulties of using an analytical approach as a basis for understanding how action is implemented. This difficulty arises because of the variety of interpretations and meanings given to the project purpose and goal, and how these interpretations and meanings influence people’s future actions or project success.
Rhetoric, narrative and management: learning from Mad Men
Authors: Soetaert Ronald , Rutten Kris
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In previous research on rhetoric and narrative in management research, cultural narratives have been studied as tools to reflect on rhetorical situations from the perspective of management. The purpose of this paper is to present a similar exploration of rhetoric while focusing on a modern example from popular culture: the television series Mad Men.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first discusses rhetorical concepts from the work of Kenneth Burke and Richard Lanham as inspirational guides, thereafter, these concepts are used to analyze the case of Mad Men. Specifically, the main character Don Draper is analyzed as a homo rhetoricus in an attention economy.

Findings

Don Draper becomes a case study of what it means to introduce a rhetorical perspective in advertising and management. It is argued that Don Draper’s reflections in the series can be described as a “perspective on perspectives” or as a “toggling” between different rhetorical perspectives.

Originality/value

Previous research discussed the emergence of spinning and the appearance of the “spin doctor” as a major figure in society in general and fiction in particular. In this article, it is argued that the same is also true for advertising. Mad Men is introduced as a case study about the revival of rhetoric as a major skill and an important perspective in and for our personal, professional and social lives.
Rhetorical construction of political leadership in social media
Authors: Madestam Jenny , Falkman Lena Lid
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how political leaders can rhetorically use social media to construct their leadership, with a special focus on character – rhetorical ethos.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a qualitative case study which consisted of two political leaders’ activities on Twitter. The leaders were chosen on the basis of similarity – both foreign ministers in Scandinavian countries and early adapters to ICT. All tweets, including photos, for selected period were analyzed qualitatively with the classical rhetorical concept of ethos.

Findings

Social media is the virtual square for political leadership. The two political leaders studied use social media similarly for rhetorical means and aims, with ethos as rhetorical strategy. The rhetorical ethos they constructed differs radically though: busy diplomat vs a super-social Iron man. There is no single constructed ethos that political leaders aim for.

Research limitations/implications

Even though this is just one qualitative case study, it shows a variety of rhetorical means and constructs of ethos in political leadership.

Practical implications

The study shows a possibility for political leaders to construct their own image and character through social media, for a potentially large audience of voters, without being filtered by political parties or media.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the evolving area of rhetoric in leadership/management and it adds to knowledge about how political leaders use social media.
The pangenome of the genus Clostridium
Authors: Udaondo Zulema , Duque Estrella , Ramos Juan‐Luis
Published: March 2017

The pangenome for the genus Clostridium sensu stricto, which was obtained using highly curated and annotated genomes from 16 species is presented; some of these cause disease, while others are used for the production of added‐value chemicals. Multilocus sequencing analysis revealed that species of this genus group into at least two clades that include non‐pathogenic and pathogenic strains, suggesting that pathogenicity is dispersed across the phylogenetic tree. The core genome of the genus includes 546 protein families, which mainly comprise those involved in protein translation and DNA repair. The GS‐GOGAT may represent the central pathway for generating organic nitrogen from inorganic nitrogen sources. Glycerol and glucose metabolism genes are well represented in the core genome together with a set of energy conservation systems. A metabolic network comprising proteins/enzymes, RNAs and metabolites, whose topological structure is a non‐random and scale‐free network with hierarchically structured modules was built. These modules shed light on the interactions between RNAs, proteins and metabolites, revealing biological features of transcription and translation, cell wall biosynthesis, C1 metabolism and N metabolism. Network analysis identified four nodes that function as hubs and bottlenecks, namely, coenzyme A, HPr kinases, S‐adenosylmethionine and the ribonuclease P‐protein, suggesting pivotal roles for them in Clostridium.
Changes in grain handling catchments in Australia: an historical perspective
Authors: Kingwell Ross
Published: March 2017

This paper explores some of the important issues that influence the magnitude of receival site grain catchments in Australia. Changes in grain harvests, transport and grain handling technologies and costs; changes in farming systems, crop yields and harvesting capacity; investments in roads and on‐farm storage and economies of size in grain receival infrastructure are shown in combination to affect the size of grain catchments in major grain‐growing regions of Australia over the last 30 years. The size of grain catchments that minimise growers’ costs of road transport of their harvested grain and their receival point charges in various time periods are determined. Differently shaped grain catchments are considered. The main finding is that the size of grain catchments that minimise farmers’ grain transport, off‐farm storage and handling costs since the mid‐1980s has consistently increased, principally due to lessening real costs of road transport, more on‐farm storage and economies of size in grain receival, despite higher grain yields and a greater intensity of cropping. These findings are consistent with the observed reduction in the number of receival sites in many grain‐growing regions of Australia. Site rationalisation is less evident in states where the receival network is owned and operated by a grower cooperative.
Psychological implications of a vision disorder
Authors: Weber Brian E.
Published: March 2017

The paper discusses how the condition of crossed‐eyes affects a baby's eye contact with mother and potentially results in the loss of a vital emotional connection with her during the earliest days of life. This loss may contribute to a rupture that arrests emotional development at a deep psychic level. It is suggested that, in the same way as premature separation, the rupture can precipitate a ‘fusional complex’, a defence that develops to protect the infant against psychotic anxieties. The paper proposes that psychological development atrophies in this place and creates a blind spot. These ideas are explored through analytic theory and developmental literature. The dreams of a patient and his art are used to illustrate a 10‐year ‘alchemical’ process of bringing repressed material into consciousness and transformation. Healing the psychological wounds of deficits in early eye contact may be found to bring sight to a blind spot that was created by the nature of the condition itself.
Relationship Between Mortality and Cancer‐Bearing Status at Time of Dialysis Initiation
Authors: Tanaka Akihito , Inaguma Daijo , Shinjo Hibiki , Murata Minako , Takeda Asami
Published: March 2017

Patients with malignancy are reported to have poorer prognosis than those without malignancy. When patients with malignancy develop end‐stage kidney disease, clinicians must determine treatment with consideration of prognosis. Furthermore, malignancy is sometimes found at time of dialysis initiation. However, prognosis of patients with malignancy at time of dialysis initiation has not been investigated. A total of 1524 patients with chronic kidney disease who initiated dialysis at 17 centers participating in the Aichi Cohort Study of Prognosis in Patients Newly Initiated into Dialysis were included. Patients initiated dialysis between October 2011 and September 2013. Mortality rates were compared between patients with and without malignancy. Types of malignancy and respective prognoses also were assessed. The study included 1030 men and 492 women with a mean age of 67.5 ± 13.1 years. Of these, 92 had malignancy and 1430 did not; 45.7% of the former group and 16.0% of the latter group died by March 2015 (P < 0.01). Even after adjusting for various factors, presence of malignancy remained an independent risk factor for mortality (P < 0.01). Patients with performance status (PS) of 0 had significantly lower mortality (P < 0.01). Patients with malignancy at time of dialysis initiation had poor prognosis. Therefore, presence of malignancy should be taken into consideration when patients initiate dialysis. In patients with malignancy, better PS was associated with better prognosis.
Household agricultural activities and child growth: evidence from rural Timor‐Leste
Authors: Thu Pyone Myat , Judge Debra S.
Published: March 2017

Childhood under‐nutrition and malnutrition are prevalent in low and middle‐income countries. Where agriculture is the primary source of food production, consumption, and cash income, it has a close relationship with health and nutrition in these emerging economies. Although Timor‐Leste achieved lower middle‐income status in 2011, national economic growth has not delivered anticipated nutritional dividends. Seeking to redress a lack of research that clearly demonstrates how agriculture impacts on nutrition in Timor‐Leste, we investigated the links between household agricultural activities and children's physical growth in two agro‐ecologically varying field sites: lowland Natarbora and mountainous Ossu. Children in both sites were below World Health Organization standards in height, weight, and body mass index. Coastal children recorded better growth than upland children. Livestock production was linked to poorer growth in the upland, but not coastal communities, which may be linked to specific differences in husbandry practices. In both communities, access to a plantation was somewhat associated with children's (0–10 years) increased weight‐for‐age. As simple agricultural indicators do not fully explain growth outcomes, a livelihood security approach is proposed to better understand how households address food and nutritional needs in relation to broader livelihood concerns.
Hand functions in systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and influence on clinical variables
Authors: Erol Kemal , Gok Kevser , Cengiz Gizem , Ozgocmen Salih
Published: March 2017

Aim

Hand joints are the main target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hand involvement in terms of thickening of the skin and contractures are also well known in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Assessment of hand function in SSc is generally an overlooked entity with respect to RA. Therefore the aim of this study was to compare hand functions and potential influence of functional loss on patients' overall physical functions, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological status in RA and SSc.

Methods

Age‐ and gender‐matched adult patients with SSc and RA were consecutively recruited. Patients' hand functions were evaluated by using the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), and hand span and hand grip strength were measured. Patients were evaluated for disease‐specific and generic outcome measures including disease activity parameters and HRQoL measures.

Results

Fifty patients (44 female, six male) with SSc and 51 (45 female, six male) with RA were included. Despite similar functioning and HRQoL, patients with RA had higher visual analog scale‐pain and body mass index. In both groups DHI revealed similar functional loss and correlated with various measurements related to HRQoL. In SSc, hand span, grip strength and modified Rodnan skin score had major influences on hand functions.

Conclusion

Assessment of hand function is an important component in the clinical evaluation of patients with RA and SSc. Loss of hand functions is an important feature contributing negatively to the overall physical status and HRQoL in patients with SSc and may be more frequent and important than expected.
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE LEADING CHANGE
Authors: Cable Dan
Published: March 2017

Dan Cable recommends you stop and ask seven important questions before implementing your grand change ambitions
IS THERE A TIME AND PLACE FOR HYPOCRISY AT WORK?
Authors: Effron Daniel
Published: March 2017

Accepted wisdom is limited by its basis in Western views, say organisational behaviour experts Daniel Effron and colleagues in new research
MUST‐READ BOOKS ON LEADERSHIP
Authors: Peterson Randall S
Published: March 2017

“These works are not musings,” says Randall S Peterson. “They are the collective leadership lessons, from case studies and life experiences, of some of the most infamous figureheads across history”
THE 100‐YEAR LIFE: GIFT OR CURSE?
Authors: Gratton Lynda , Scott Andrew
Published: March 2017

Half of today's newborns will live to be 100. To make the pathways to longevity work, we must change the way we think about education, welfare, work and relationships
FOUR STEPS TO LEADING DIVERSE TEAMS EFFECTIVELY
Authors: Peterson Randall S
Published: March 2017

Managing colleagues with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives can be challenging. So how do you get a mixed group of people working as one? Randall S Peterson explains his thinking to Rob Morris
YES: LEADERSHIP CAN BE LEARNED
Authors: Johnston Anna
Published: March 2017

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley is candid about learning to lead
WELCOME
Authors: Rollins Vyla , Peterson Randall
Published: March 2017

London Business School's Leadership Institute reflects on the highlights of the last 18 months and shares its future plans
Nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention
Authors: Damian Diona L
Published: March 2017

Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) has a range of photoprotective effects in vitro and in vivo; it enhances DNA repair, reduces UV radiation‐induced suppression of skin immune responses, modulates inflammatory cytokine production and skin barrier function and restores cellular energy levels after UV exposure. Pharmacological doses of nicotinamide have been shown to reduce actinic keratoses and nonmelanoma skin cancer incidence in high‐risk individuals, making this a nontoxic and accessible option for skin cancer chemoprevention in this population.
Factors influencing the contamination rate of human organ‐cultured corneas
Authors: Röck Daniel , Wude Johanna , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl U. , Yoeruek Efdal , Thaler Sebastian , Röck Tobias
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To assess the influence of donor, environment and storage factors on the contamination rate of organ‐cultured corneas, to consider the microbiological species causing corneal contamination and to investigate the corresponding sensitivities.

Methods

Data from 1340 consecutive donor corneas were analysed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of different factors on the contamination rate of organ‐cultured corneas for transplantation.

Results

The mean annual contamination rate was 1.8 ± 0.4% (range: 1.3–2.1%); 50% contaminations were of fungal origin with exclusively Candida species, and 50% contaminations were of bacterial origin with Staphylococcus species being predominant. The cause of donor death including infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome increased the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination during organ culture (p = 0.007 and p = 0.014, respectively). Differentiating between septic and aseptic donors showed an increased risk of contamination for septic donors (p = 0.0020). Mean monthly temperature including warmer months increased the risk of contamination significantly (p = 0.0031). Sex, donor age, death to enucleation, death to corneoscleral disc excision and storage time did not increase the risk of contamination significantly.

Conclusion

The genesis of microbial contamination in organ‐cultured donor corneas seems to be multifactorial. The main source of fungal or bacterial contamination could be resident species from the skin flora. The rate of microbial contamination in organ‐cultured donor corneas seems to be dependent on the cause of donor death and mean monthly temperature.
Risk factors for parastomal hernia after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Kojima Keita , Nakamura Takatoshi , Sato Takeo , Matsubara Yasumi , Naito Masanori , Yamashita Keishi , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: March 2017

Introduction

This study was designed to identity risk factors for parastomal hernia occurring after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.

Methods

The study group was comprised of 158 patients with rectal cancer who underwent abdominoperineal resection in our department from January 1990 through December 2014. Twelve variables were studied as risk factors for parastomal hernia.

Results

Parastomal hernia developed in 27 patients, including 19 patients who underwent colostomy creation via an intraperitoneal route and 8 patients who underwent colostomy creation via an extraperitoneal route. On univariate analysis, a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 was significantly related to the development of parastomal hernia (P = 0. 018), and an ASA physical status ≥2 was slightly but not significantly related to parastomal hernia (P = 0. 076). Multivariate analysis showed that a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 was an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 2.9698; P = 0. 016).

Conclusion

Patients with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 should be instructed about lifestyle modifications to control preoperative bodyweight and to reduce abdominal pressure.
Behavioural responses to facial and postural expressions of emotion: An interpersonal circumplex approach
Authors: aan het Rot Marije , Enea Violeta , Dafinoiu Ion , Iancu Sorina , Taftă Steluţa A. , Bărbuşelu Mariana
Published: March 2017

While the recognition of emotional expressions has been extensively studied, the behavioural response to these expressions has not. In the interpersonal circumplex, behaviour is defined in terms of communion and agency. In this study, we examined behavioural responses to both facial and postural expressions of emotion. We presented 101 Romanian students with facial and postural stimuli involving individuals (‘targets’) expressing happiness, sadness, anger, or fear. Using an interpersonal grid, participants simultaneously indicated how communal (i.e., quarrelsome or agreeable) and agentic (i.e., dominant or submissive) they would be towards people displaying these expressions. Participants were agreeable‐dominant towards targets showing happy facial expressions and primarily quarrelsome towards targets with angry or fearful facial expressions. Responses to targets showing sad facial expressions were neutral on both dimensions of interpersonal behaviour. Postural versus facial expressions of happiness and anger elicited similar behavioural responses. Participants responded in a quarrelsome‐submissive way to fearful postural expressions and in an agreeable way to sad postural expressions. Behavioural responses to the various facial expressions were largely comparable to those previously observed in Dutch students. Observed differences may be explained from participants’ cultural background. Responses to the postural expressions largely matched responses to the facial expressions.
Molecular analysis of patients with aniridia in Russian Federation broadens the spectrum of PAX6 mutations
Authors: Vasilyeva T.A. , Voskresenskaya A.A. , Käsmann‐Kellner B. , Khlebnikova O.V. , Pozdeyeva N.A. , Bayazutdinova G.M. , Kutsev S.I. , Ginter E.K. , Semina E.V. , Marakhonov A.V. , Zinchenko R.A.
Published: March 2017

Congenital aniridia is a severe autosomal dominant congenital panocular disorder, mainly associated with pathogenic variants in the PAX6 gene. The objective of the study was to investigate the mutational and clinical spectra of congenital aniridia in a cohort of 117 patients from Russia. Each patient underwent detailed ophthalmological examination. From 91 unrelated families, 110 patients were diagnosed with congenital aniridia and 7 with WAGR syndrome (Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary anomalies, and mental Retardation syndrome). The clinical presentation in aniridia patients varied from the complete bilateral absence of the iris (75.5%) to partial aniridia or iris hypoplasia (24.5%). Additional ocular abnormalities were consistent with previous reports. In our cohort, we saw a previously not described high percentage of patients (45%) who showed non‐ocular phenotypes. Prevalence of deletions coherent with WAGR syndrome appeared to be 19.4% out of sporadic patients. Among the other aniridia cases, PAX6 deletions were identified in 18 probands, and small intragenic changes were detected in 58 probands with 27 of these mutations being novel and 21 previously reported. In 3 families mosaic mutation was transmitted from a subtly affected parent. Therefore, PAX6 mutations explained 96.7% of aniridia phenotypes in this study with only 3 of 91 probands lacking pathogenic variants in the gene.
Examining the sociocultural sensitivity of subjective drunkenness: Comparing Arab and Jewish Israeli pub patrons
Authors: Sznitman Sharon R. , Bord Shiran , Elias Wafa , Gesser‐Edelsburg Anat , Shiftan Yoram , Baron‐Epel Orna
Published: March 2017

Introduction and Aims

Subjective drunkenness measures may be useful screening tools for alcohol‐related problems. However, if self‐reported drunkenness is influenced by social and cultural understandings, the measure may not predict drinking patterns equally across different sociocultural groups. The current study aims to determine whether the two main sociocultural groups in Israel (Arabs and Jews) are equally likely to report drunkenness at comparable levels of breath alcohol content (BrAC).

Design and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 901 Jewish and 225 Arab Israeli pub patrons. Respondents were interviewed as they exited pubs between midnight and 4 am. In addition to sociodemographic data, respondents reported whether they felt drunk at the time of the interview, after which they provided breath samples to determine BrAC. A logistic regression model tested whether there were differences in the probability of reporting drunkenness between Arabs and Jews holding BrAC levels and other background variables constant.

Results

Arabs had higher BrAC levels than Jews (M = 0.19 vs. M = 0.13, P ≤ 0.0001) but a lower proportion of Arabs reported drunkenness than Jews (22% vs. 43%). Adjusted logistic regression showed that at all levels of BrAC, Jews had a higher probability of reporting drunkenness than Arabs (odds ratio = 6.40, P ≤ 0.0001).

Discussion and Conclusions

Subjective drunkenness is likely to be influenced by cultural factors and may thus not reflect objective drinking patterns equally across different groups within the same society. This is likely to limit its usefulness as a screening tool for alcohol abuse and problems. [Sznitman SR, Bord S, Elias W, Gesser‐Edelsburg A, Shiftan Y, Baron‐Epel O. Examining the sociocultural sensitivity of subjective drunkenness: Comparing Arab and Jewish Israeli pub patrons.
Endoscopic ultrasonography evaluation for pancreatic cysts: Necessity or overkill?
Authors: Pausawasdi Nonthalee , Ratanachu‐ek Thawee
Published: March 2017

Incidental pancreatic cysts have become gradually more recognized in clinical practice as a result of increased use of transabdominal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These lesions consist of inflammatory cysts (pseudocysts) and pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) which have been classified as benign, premalignant and malignant. The diagnosis and management strategy of incidentally discovered pancreatic cysts can be challenging as the majority of them are PCN and CT or MRI alone may not be sufficient to provide an accurate diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration provides a method to obtain cyst fluid for analysis and the recently developed EUS‐based technology including contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, cystoscopy and needle‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy allows endosonographers to gain additional useful information. The current data suggest that EUS evaluation of pancreatic cysts offers some benefits especially in cases of inconclusive CT or MRI.
Putting Liberty in its Place: Rawlsian Liberalism without the Liberalism
Authors: Arnold Samuel
Published: March 2017

To be a liberal is, among other things, to grant basic liberties some degree of priority over other aspects of justice. But why do basic liberties warrant this special treatment? For Rawls, the answer has to do with the allegedly special connection between these freedoms and the ‘two moral powers’ of reasonableness and rationality. Basic freedoms are said to be preconditions for the development and exercise of these powers and are held to warrant priority over other justice‐relevant values for that reason. In the first half of the article I mount an internal critique of this Rawlsian line, arguing that it is flawed in two main ways. First, it overestimates the contribution of basic freedom to moral personality. Second, it underestimates the contribution of non‐liberty resources (such as basic material necessities, but also opportunities for culture, education, leisure, and social contribution) to moral personality. In the second half of the article I repair these flaws (thus putting liberty in its proper place, if you like). The result is a new, intriguingly radical version of justice as fairness, one with surprising—yet plausible—implications for economic and gender justice.
Changes in soil organic matter over 70 years in continuous arable and ley–arable rotations on a sandy loam soil in England
Authors: Johnston A. E. , Poulton P. R. , Coleman K. , Macdonald A. J. , White R. P.
Published: March 2017

The sequestration in soil of organic carbon (SOC) derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by replacing arable crops with leys, has been measured over 70 years on a sandy loam soil. The experiment was designed initially to test the effect of leys on the yields of arable crops. A 3‐year grazed grass with clover (grass + clover) ley in a 5‐year rotation with arable crops increased percentage organic carbon (%OC) in the top 25 cm of the soil from 0.98 to 1.23 in 28 years, but with little further increase during the next 40 years with all‐grass leys given fertilizer nitrogen (N). In this second period, OC inputs were balanced by losses, suggesting that about 1.3% OC might be near the equilibrium content for this rotation. Including 3‐year lucerne (Medicago sativa) leys had little effect on %OC over 28 years, but after changing to grass + clover leys, %OC increased to 1.24 during the next 40 years. Eight‐year leys (all grass with N or grass + clover) in 10‐year rotations with arable crops were started in the 1970s, and after three rotations %OC had increased to ca. 1.40 in 2000–2009. Over 70 years, %OC declined from 0.98 to 0.94 in an all‐arable rotation with mainly cereals and to 0.82 with more root crops. Applications of 38 t ha−1 farmyard manure (FYM) every fifth year increased %OC by 0.13% by the mid‐1960s when applications ceased. Soil treated with FYM still contained 0.10% more OC in 2000–2009. Changes in the amount of OC have been modelled with RothC‐26.3 and estimated inputs of C for selected rotations. Little of the OC input during the 70 years has been retained; most was retained in the grazed ley rotation, but 9 t ha−1 only of a total input of 189 t ha−1. In other rotations more than 98% of the total OC input was lost. Despite large losses of C, annual increases in OC of 4‰ are possible on this soil type with the inclusion of grass or grass + clover leys or the application of FYM, but only for a limited period. Such increases in SOC might help to limit increases in atmospheric CO2.

Highlights

Can leys sequester significant amounts of atmospheric CO2 in SOM and contribute to the 4‰ initiative?

Changes in the percentage and amount of OC were measured and modelled over 70 years and OC losses estimated.

Three‐year grass or grass + clover leys increased %OC, but only to an equilibrium level that was then maintained.

Despite large losses, sequestering CO2‐C at 4‰ year−1 by growing grass or grass + clover leys is possible.