bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing learning through smart learning analytics: a review of case studies
Authors: Kumar Kinshuk , Vivekanandan Vivekanandan
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Smart learning analytics (Smart LA) – i.e. the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on how students learn – has great potentials to support opportunistic learning and offer better – and more personalized – learning experiences. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the latest developments and features of Smart LA by reviewing relevant cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies several representative cases of Smart LA implementation, and highlights the key features of Smart LA. In addition, it discusses how instructors can use Smart LA to better understand the efforts their students make, and to improve learning experiences.

Findings

Ongoing research in Smart LA involves testing across various learning domains, learning sensors and LA platforms. Through the collection, analysis and visualization of learner data and performance, instructors and learners gain more accurate understandings of individual learning behavior and ways to effectively address learner needs. As a result, students can make better decisions when refining their study plans (either by themselves or in collaboration with others), and instructors obtain a convenient monitor of student progress. In summary, Smart LA promotes self-regulated and/or co-regulated learning by discovering opportunities for remediation, and by prescribing materials and pedagogy for remedial instruction.

Originality/value

Characteristically, Smart LA helps instructors give students effective and efficient learning experiences, by integrating the advanced learning analytics technology, fine-grained domain knowledge and locale-based information. This paper discusses notable cases illustrating the potential of Smart LA.
Linking leadership styles to work engagement
Authors: Li Yongzhan , Castaño Gloria , Li Yongxin
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between leadership styles, psychological capital and job engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected among knowledge workers working no less than 1 year in three high-tech enterprises in Henan Province, China. The investigation was conducted with the cooperation from the human resource departments of the selected enterprises from August to October 2014. To minimize potential common method bias, the authors adopted a cross-lagged design with a time gap of four months. The statistical methods included descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap analysis.

Findings

The results showed: leadership styles significantly influenced employees’ psychological capital and work engagement; specifically, transformational and transactional leadership positively predicted employees’ psychological capital and work engagement; compared with transactional leadership, transformational leadership had stronger predictive power to employees’ psychological capital and work engagement; employees’ psychological capital positively predicted their work engagement; and employees’ psychological capital acts as partial mediator between leadership styles and employees’ work engagement.

Originality/value

Although a body of studies have shown that leadership is an important factor influencing employees’ work attitude and outcomes, it is only in recent years that the effect mechanism of leadership becomes a hot subject in organizational behavior and management fields. As for leadership styles, in general, most research concerned transformational leadership, rather than transactional leadership and only a little of research compared the effects of transformational leadership and transactional leadership on employees’ work outcomes. In terms of outcomes of leadership, as noted earlier, the previous research mainly explored job performance, job satisfaction, innovation behavior, job burnout and so on. Regarding the effect of leadership styles on employees’ work engagement, in spite of more and more supportive evidence of the link between transformational leadership and work engagement, few studies examined the relationship between transactional leadership and work engagement. What’s more, to the best of our knowledge, till now, no empirical research has explored the internal mechanism of this effect from the perspective of psychological capital. Therefore, the present study is a breakthrough for the direct model of leadership styles and employees’ engagement, theoretically bridges the research gap and contributes to the existing literature by presenting a new picture of leadership behavior effect mechanism.
The effect of strategic flexibility configurations on product innovation
Authors: Beraha Aydin , Bingol Dursun , Ozkan-Canbolat Ela , Szczygiel Nina
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the contribution of company functional areas – production, marketing, and human resources – to strategic flexibility configurations. It also seeks to explore the comparative contributions of functional areas to product innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to develop a better understanding of departmental contributions to strategic flexibility configuration and the effect of strategic flexibility on product innovation by functional areas.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that marketing flexibility has a key role in product innovation.

Research limitations/implications

A limited number of cases may be one of the possible reasons for no proven contribution of HR flexibility to product innovation, and may affect results due to poor representation.

Practical implications

The required flexibility level is at least the one maintaining the company’s status and certifying competitive advantage.

Social implications

A pressure for flexibility leads companies to modify their organizational structure, processes, and resources.

Originality/value

The environmental change and uncertainty provide dynamic challenges that increase the need of company flexible reactions
RFID and ERP systems in supply chain management
Authors: Oghazi Pejvak , Fakhrai Rad Fakhreddin , Karlsson Stefan , Haftor Darek
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of enterprise systems (ESs), in particular radio frequency identification (RFID) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, on supply chain management (SCM). The results of this conceptual paper demonstrate that ERP and RFID systems contribute to SCM by improving supply chain integration. Supply chain integration occurs to facilitate the flow of financing, products, and information throughout the chain. In this regard, ERP and RFID contribute to integration by enhancing the information flow across the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a conceptual model developed from the findings of literature review within the research domains of SCM, ESs, and supply chain integration.

Findings

This conceptual study contributes to the existing theory by linking the concept of information technology, ESs to SCM. The conceptual model in this paper may provide insights for executives who wish to implement ERP or RFID systems in their businesses in order to achieve higher integration, both within internal sectors and also with supply chain partners.

Originality/value

The findings in this study contribute to the theory base by linking the concept of information technologies, ESs to SCM. The conceptual model presented in this paper can provide insights for executives who wish to implement ERP or RFID systems in their businesses in order to achieve higher integration within internal sectors and with supply chain partners. This study offers new understandings by investigating the impact of ERP and RFID together on SCM.
The relationship between institutions and value creation in software development models
Authors: Mocciaro Li Destri Arabella , Lo Nigro Giovanna
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the possibility for firms to consider institutional settings to systematically direct dispersed individual efforts of discovery and invention towards objects (products or processes) of their interest in order to enhance their value creation capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a comparative analysis of the different institutional settings within which software products are invented and produced – closed producer-centred model, open user-centred model, and hybrid interactive producer-user model.

Findings

The authors draw indications regarding the possibility to design institutional settings for value creation and the potential pitfalls tied to these strategic tools.

Originality/value

A theoretical framework is elaborated in order to understand the different ways in which institutional contexts influence and direct value creation processes. The model analysed shows the firms’ deliberate attempt to stimulate a dynamic process of social interaction and communication which may foster higher levels of creativity and innovation. In order to guarantee the necessary accessibility and to sufficiently motivate external programmers towards the perception of a new code, the firm has to surrender the traditional source through which it appropriates value: barriers to the accessibility of the code developed through IPRs. The adoption of an institutional setting which facilitates dynamic value creation processes suggests, therefore, the need to turn to dynamic mechanisms for value appropriation in parallel.
Digitalising asset management: concomitant benefits and persistent challenges
Authors: Roberts Christopher James , Pärn Erika Anneli , Edwards David John , Aigbavboa Clinton
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Advancements in digital technologies have provided significant opportunities to improve the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owner-operated (AECO) sector’s performance through superior data management, streamlined processes and cooperative working practices. However, whilst academic literature widely espouses these benefits during the design and construction phases of development, research suggests that the operational phase of a building’s lifecycle has yet to fully realise performance improvements available through the application of digital modelling technology. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise extant digital modelling, asset management and emergent digital asset management literature, to report upon the beneficial implications of digitalised asset management and identify obstacles hampering its adoption in industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A componential synthesis of future work reported upon in extant literature is organised into thematic categories that indicate potential research avenues and a trajectory for digital asset management research and practice.

Findings

Themes identified include: imprecise Building Information Modelling definitions; isolated software development; data interoperability; intellectual property and virtual property rights; and skills and training requirements. Notably, increased environmental performance also arose as a theme requiring further research but received considerably less academic coverage than the other obstacles identified.

Originality/value

The work presents a comprehensive review of digital technologies utilised within the AECO sector and as such provides utility to researchers, policy makers and practitioners to enhance their knowledge capabilities.
Effect of chemical admixtures on concrete’s electrical resistivity
Authors: de Bem Diogo Henrique , Lima Daniel Petzold Barbosa , Medeiros-Junior Ronaldo A.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify the influence of superplasticizer and air entrainment admixtures (AEs) in the electrical resistivity of concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten different types of concrete have been studied. Three levels of superplasticizer and air AEs have been used (0.20, 0.35 and 0.50 per cent). Concrete samples were cast and the electrical resistivity was monitored at the ages of 28, 63 and 91 days. Compressive strength and density tests have also been executed.

Findings

The superplasticizer admixture presented an optimal level of 0.35 per cent that significantly increased the electrical resistivity. The air AEs at the same dosage caused a considerable decrease in the electrical resistivity. The concrete with air AEs showed highest resistivity/MPa ratio.

Research limitations/implications

The results should be carefully extrapolated for other materials and admixtures.

Practical implications

The usage of chemicals admixture in concrete is extremely common nowadays. However, only a few authors have studied the impact of such materials on the concrete’s electrical resistivity. Since many other researchers have already correlated electrical resistivity with other concrete’s properties, such as strength, setting time and corrosion probability, it is important to better understand how superplasticizers and air-entraining agents, for instance, impact the resistivity.

Originality/value

The vast majority of studies only tested the resistivity of cement paste or mortar and usually for short period of time (up to 28 days), which seems not to be adequate since the cement reaction continues after that period. This paper fills this gap and studied the impact of admixture on concrete and for a period of 91 days.
Scenario-based hazard analysis of extreme high-temperatures experienced between 1959 and 2014 in Hulunbuir, China
Authors: Li Chunlan , Wang Jun , Liu Min , Ayal Desalegn Yayeh , Gong Qian , Hu Richa , Yin Shan , Bao Yuhai
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Extreme high temperatures are a significant feature of global climate change and have become more frequent and intense in recent years. These pose a significant threat to both human health and economic activity, and thus are receiving increasing research attention. Understanding the hazards posed by extreme high temperatures are important for selecting intervention measures targeted at reducing socioeconomic and environmental damage.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, detrended fluctuation analysis is used to identify extreme high-temperature events, based on homogenized daily minimum and maximum temperatures from nine meteorological stations in a major grassland region, Hulunbuir, China, over the past 56 years.

Findings

Compared with the commonly used functions, Weibull distribution has been selected to simulate extreme high-temperature scenarios. It has been found that there was an increasing trend of extreme high temperature, and in addition, the probability of its indices increased significantly, with regional differences. The extreme high temperatures in four return periods exhibited an extreme low hazard in the central region of Hulunbuir, and increased from the center to the periphery. With the increased length of the return period, the area of high hazard and extreme high hazard increased. Topography and anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns may be the main factors influencing the occurrence of extreme high temperatures.

Originality/value

These results may contribute to a better insight in the hazard of extreme high temperatures, and facilitate the development of appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with the adverse effects.
Network analysis for search areas in WiSAR operations
Authors: Drexel Sebastian , Zimmermann-Janschitz Susanne , Koester Robert J.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

A search and rescue incident is ultimately all about the location of the missing person; hence, geotechnical tools are critical in providing assistance to search planners. One critical role of Geographic Information Systems (GISs) is to define the boundaries that define the search area. The literature mostly focuses on ring- and area-based methods but lacks a linear/network approach. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel network approach that will benefit search planners by saving time, requires less data layers and provides better results.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares two existing models (Ring Model, Travel Time Cost Surface Model (TTCSM)) against a new network model (Travel Time Network Model) by using a case study from a mountainous area in Austria. Newest data from the International Search and Rescue Incident Database are used for all three models. Advantages and disadvantages of each model are evaluated.

Findings

Network analyses offer a fruitful alternative to the Ring Model and the TTCSM for estimating search areas, especially for regions with comprehensive trail/road networks. Furthermore, only few basic data are needed for quick calculation.

Practical implications

The paper supports GIS network analyses for wildland search and rescue operations to raise the survival chances of missing persons due to optimizing search area estimation.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the value of the novel network approach, which requires fewer GIS layers and less time to generate a solution. Furthermore, the paper provides a comparison between all three potential models.
The impact of Health Sector Evolution Plan on the performance of hospitals in Iran
Authors: Rezaei Satar , Hajizadeh Mohammad , Bazyar Mohammad , Kazemi Karyani Ali , Jahani Behrooz , Karami Matin Behzad
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The Health Sector Evolution Plan (HSEP) is the most recent reform in Iran’s health care system that was launched in May 2014 in all university-affiliated hospitals to reduce health care expenditure for patients, while improving the efficiency and quality of hospital services. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the HSEP on the performance of 15 hospitals affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), located in the western region of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

The Pabon Lasso model was used to measure the performance of hospitals before and after the implementation of the HSEP in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016, respectively. Three indicators of average length of stay (ALoS), bed occupancy rate (BOR) and bed turnover rate (BTR) were analyzed by the Pabon Lasso model.

Findings

The results showed that the average ALoS, BTR and BOR before the introduction of the HSEP were 2.59 days, 92 times and 57 percent, respectively, and the corresponding figures for these indicators after the implementation of the HSEP were 2.61 days, 98.9 times and 59.9 percent. The results indicated that before the introduction of the HESP, 40 percent of hospitals were in zone 1 (poor performance: low BTR and BOR and high ALoS), 27 percent in zone 2, 20 percent in zone 3 (good performance: high BTR and BOR and low ALoS) and 13 percent in zone 4. After the HSEP, the proportion of hospitals in zones 1-4 was 33, 27, 20 and 20 percent, respectively.

Originality/value

This study is the first to use the Pabon Lasso model technique to evaluate the impact of the HSEP on hospitals affiliated with KUMS.
Policy dialogues: facilitators’ perceived role and influence
Authors: Biermann Olivia , Kuchenmüller Tanja , Panisset Ulysses , Leys Mark
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand facilitators’ perceived role and influence on a policy dialogue’s (PD) process and impact. PDs enable interactions between policy makers, researchers and other stakeholders – one of the factors associated with promoting evidence-informed policy making.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory study based on semi-structured interviews with ten key informants from sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North and South America. Participants were purposefully sampled based on their experience in facilitating or observing PDs organized by the WHO’s Evidence-informed Policy Network. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative method.

Findings

A successful PD relies on a structured process used to catalyze impact. Facilitators contribute to a successful PD through their facilitation skills, for example, helping to get to an informed judgment; knowledge, for example, about the health system; attitudes, for example, valuing the PD process over its outcomes; and personal attributes, for example, credibility. Facilitators’ involvement in preparatory and follow-up actions are equally paramount for a PD’s success. Challenges in implementing PDs can be prevented/attenuated, for example, through stakeholder analysis to identify suitable PD participants, and anticipate power constellations or potential conflicts.

Research limitations/implications

Research should focus on the overall process of a PD – especially on preparation and follow-up activities and their influence on a PD’s success.

Originality/value

Informed by harnessing practical experiences, this paper outlines facilitators’ skills, attributes, attitudes, knowledge and how these can be used to influence a PD’s success.
Into the dark – dark stories in the cities of Brežice and Krško in Slovenia as a basis for the future dark tourism products
Authors: Kužnik Lea , Veble Nina
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Dark tourism has a very long heritage. Compared to the rest of the world, dark tourism in Slovenia is very poorly developed. The theme is therefore a novelty in Slovenia as well as in the Slovenian professional and scientific literature. The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe dark stories of two small cities – Brežice and Krško – in Slovenia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper brings ethnographical approach based on the in-depth literature analysis, existing documentation in museums (old newspapers articles, photographs) and fieldwork in Brežice and Krško which contained the method of unstructured interviews with four curators in The Posavje Museum Brežice, The City Museum of Krško and The National Museum of Contemporary History – Brestanica Branch as well as the method of observation with participation in a guided tour of Posavje “witches” in The City Museum of Krško and The Brežice Cemetery. The information for the research was also obtained by conducting ten unstructured interviews with the residents who live nearby “dark places” or are still connected to them.

Findings

The paper provides practical results as 14 dark stories related to the castles, wars, accidents, murders, paranormal activities and witchcraft were found. These stories could be incorporated into dark tourism.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. The results refer to a particular area of research.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of a new dark tourism product on a basis of dark stories found in the research area.

Originality/value

The paper fulfills need to identify and study dark stories that can be integrated in dark tourism in Slovenia.
Online reviews and impulse buying behavior: the role of browsing and impulsiveness
Authors: Zhang Kem Z.K. , Xu Haiqin , Zhao Sesia , Yu Yugang
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Online reviews have shown important information that affects consumers’ online shopping behavior. However, little research has examined how they may influence consumers’ online impulse buying behavior. The purpose of this paper is to bring theoretical and empirical connections between them.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework of this study was tested on three popular online group shopping websites in China (ju.taobao.com, dianping.com, and meituan.com). An online survey with 315 participants who had experience using these websites was recruited to verify the effects of consumers’ perceived value from reading online reviews on urge to buy impulsively and impulse buying behavior.

Findings

The empirical findings show that consumers’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic value from reading online reviews enhance their browsing behavior. Browsing positively affects consumers’ urge to buy impulsively and finally affects their impulse buying behavior. Further, this study finds that consumers with high impulsiveness focus more on hedonic value of online reviews, whereas consumers with low impulsiveness put more emphasis on utilitarian value. Browsing demonstrates a stronger effect on urge to buy impulsively for consumers with high impulsiveness.

Originality/value

This study is one of the early studies to investigate the relationship between social influence (e.g. influence of online reviews) and impulse buying. It draws upon the perspectives of browsing and consumer’s perceived value from the literature. This research also considers consumer differences regarding the level of impulsiveness.
Rock art CARE
Authors: Turner Mark , Dowsland Stephen , Mazel Aron , Giesen Myra
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Crowdsourcing heritage information has enormous potential to help gather data needed to make decisions over the deployment of resources and heritage conservation funding. Taking advantage of the rapid proliferation of mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, packed with sensors to record data about the real world, and the global growth of mobile app stores, reaching potential crowdsourcing volunteers is easier than ever before. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a mobile application known as Rock Art CARE (condition assessment risk evaluation) to crowdsource heritage conservation data, in the context of rock art conservation.

Design/methodology/approach

As with conservation efforts of any kind, accurate information is vital to make informed triage decisions over where to route effort, resources and funding. The Rock Art CARE application is a cross-platform mobile application for crowdsourcing information about rock art carvings, where the collated data are stored in a central location for access by different stakeholders.

Findings

The paper goes on to detail the web portal with its application programming interface and database schema, and how the collected data are passed on to policy and decision makers to aid in the identification and conservation of the carvings most at risk.

Originality/value

The paper presents a method of harnessing common technology to forge a link between the mobile devices of the general public and key stakeholders responsible for the preservation of the UK’s rock art.
Quality of life and mental health among Thai older workers in community enterprises
Authors: Hanklang Suda , Ratanasiripong Paul , Naksranoi Sarinya , Sathira-Anant Suchinda , Patanasri Kalaya
Published: April 2018

Purpose

An aging society is a growing global reality resulting in an increasing number of older workers, especially in community enterprises. It is important to understand factors that influence the mental health and quality of life (QOL) of these older workers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of personal, work, and mental health factors on the QOL among older workers in community enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study examined the mental health and QOL of 387 older workers from three industries: food production, handicraft, and farm-related work. These participants formed a representative sample of the 19,200 members of the 1,184 groups in the community enterprise sector in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Stratified random sampling technique was used. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis was used to examine the factors associated with QOL. A multiple regression statistical model was used to examine the QOL predicting factors.

Findings

The response rate for this study was 93.25 percent. The majority of participants were female (73.4 percent). The majority of older workers were educated to primary school educational level (81.4 percent). The ratio of workers within each project included farm-related work (36.7 percent), handicraft (37.7 percent) and food production (25.6 percent). Most older workers (90.2 percent) had normal mental health based on their GHQ screening. The overall QOL average score was 88.43 (SD 10.43). The results suggested that the QOL is related to age, income, somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, severe depression, and mental health problems. Additionally, multiple regression analysis indicated social dysfunction and income were significant predictors for the QOL of older workers with R2=0.118, F=15.53 (p<0.001).

Originality/value

With the results showing associations between personal factors and work factors relating to QOL, it is important for health professionals to pay attention to older workers’ work environments, financial issues, and mental health.
Empirical assessment of the future adequacy of value stream mapping in manufacturing industries
Authors: Lugert Andreas , Batz Aglaya , Winkler Herwig
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Value stream mapping (VSM) is very common in the manufacturing industry to enhance transparency and support improvements within the production process. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current status of the method from the user’s point of view and addresses its future sustainability in the context of the ongoing digitalization.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical survey with 170 participants from different branches was conducted. The web-based questionnaire covers the topics Lean Management, respectively, VSM, Industry 4.0, the integration of both approaches as well as a possible need for action to modify the VSM. Results are analyzed in a quantitative way.

Findings

Benefits and shortcomings of VSM are already confirmed by previous publications. The serious challenge is the lack of flexibility of the method. In general users appreciate a combination of Lean methods and solutions of Industry 4.0. Moreover 92 percent of the participating experts request further development of the VSM using digitalization to compensate weaknesses.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based only on Lean expert’s opinion. Over 95 percent of the participants are from Europe however most of them are from Germany. Although the results are adequate an international expansion of the survey would be advisable in order to distinguish local differences and similarities. In future work researchers need to further develop VSM to overcome the identified gaps.

Practical implications

Results of the study indicate the viewpoint of experts within different branches. This enables users to undertake a self-assessment regarding their own VSM-estimation.

Originality/value

This paper provides a current evaluation of the VSM from an exploratory perspective. The impact of global trends and new opportunities facilitated by digitalization are considered. Shortcomings and fields of actions become clear. Based on that necessity further research activities can be designed.
An indicator of urban morphology for landscape planning in Lombardy (Italy)
Authors: Ronchi Silvia , Salata Stefano , Arcidiacono Andrea
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The spatial development of urban areas affects the characteristics of landscape as well as people’s aesthetic perception of it. Specifically, sprawl results in an urban morphology which is diametrically opposed to the compact city model and which assumes several kinds of patterns: for example “striped”, “ribbon” or “leapfrogged” urban development. Assessing urban morphology in spatial terms is crucial to urban policy, while landscape metrics are the key to a comprehensive understanding of different urban development patterns. The purpose of this paper to design and test an urban morphology indicator (UMI) for the Lombardy Regional Landscape Plan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes an UMI that can be used to identify the heterogeneity of built-up patterns according to urban porosity, fragmentation and patch shape. This UMI is a result of Esri ArcGIS 10.3 “grouping analysis” which works by applying a spatial statistical metric for clustering geometries in a given geographical area.

Findings

Morphological analysis was used in regional urban development policies with a view to minimising impact on surrounding ecosystems and preserving the natural environment and landscape. It defines 28 different urban morphology patterns in the region, which are divided into systems, polarities and urbanised units.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology differs from those traditionally used in qualitative/descriptive landscape planning and supports the identification of morphological features with quantitative statistical and spatial data, allowing a fine-scale assessment of complex metrics.
Daylighting and energy performance design for single floor commercial hall buildings
Authors: De Luca Francesco , Simson Raimo , Voll Hendrik , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Electric lighting accounts for a large share of energy consumption in commercial buildings. Utilization of daylight can significantly help to reduce the need for artificial lighting, increase workers productivity, customers’ satisfaction and consequently improve sales. However, excessive use of glazing and absence of lighting controls can contribute greatly to higher energy need for heating and cooling and cause undesired glare effects. Thus, optimizing the size, position and materials of external glazing, with the addition of deflectors and dynamic artificial lighting, can become key aspects in the design of sustainable low energy buildings. The purpose of this paper is to analyze daylight potential and energy performance of a hall-type commercial building, situated in the cold climate of Finland, by utilizing different combinations of skylights, windows and lighting controls.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used computer simulations to estimate daylight and energy performance of a single floor commercial building in relation to various combinations of skylights and windows with variable glazing materials, light deflectors and zonal lighting controls.

Findings

The results show that electric light energy saving potential ranges from a negligible 1.9 percent to a significant 58.6 percent in the case of glass skylights and wall windows using multi-zone lighting control. Total delivered energy ranges between increase of 1.5 and 21.2 percent in the cases with single zone lighting control and between decrease of 4.5 percent and increase of 4.5 percent in the cases with multi-zone control. The highest decrease in primary energy consumption was 2.2 percent for single zone and 17.6 percent for multi-zone lighting control. The research underlines the significant potential of electric light energy savings using daylighting strategies that, including the control of direct solar access for glare and internal gains, can be more than 50 percent.

Originality/value

This research combines accurate daylight and energy assessment for commercial hall buildings based in cold climate region with multiple design variations. The novelty of this work is the consideration of interior elements, shelves and deflectors, in the calculations. This is made possible through the combined use of validated simulation platforms for detailed annual daylighting and electric lighting calculation (Radiance and Daysim) and energy analysis (IDA-ICE, Equa Simulation AB). This method allows to obtain a reliable assessment of the potential of using natural light sources in buildings.
Exploring social enterprise leadership development through phenomenological analysis
Authors: Ilac Emerald Jay D.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct a theorized leadership development model for social enterprises based on the experiences of its current leaders, highlighting what are inherently imperative processes and competencies future leaders should hold.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the epistemological lens of phenomenological analysis, it focuses on the developmental process elements for the social enterprise leader, between the individual and the environment, and the individual and the community. To formulate the model, multiple data collection methods were utilized.

Findings

Analyzing multiple experiences of different social enterprise leaders formed a suggested processual leadership development model, which discovers fundamental elements and skills necessary in their development.

Research limitations/implications

Findings provide a foundational basis in the continued development of social entrepreneurs as rooted in the unique experiences of current social enterprise leaders. A limitation worth noting is the contextual distinctiveness of experiences that may shape the leadership experience.

Practical implications

Findings provide a baseline theorized framework on the critical facets of leadership development for social enterprise. Pragmatically, this functions as a competency framework that can be transformed into concrete learning activities and training sessions.

Originality/value

This paper provides perspective into social enterprise leadership emergence. It underscores the processes involved in comprehending how these leaders evolve through interpreting context, understanding their value and creating awareness with and through others.
Policies for Decent Labour Standards in Britain
Authors: Brown William , Wright Chris F.
Published: April 2018

Decent labour standards are a prerequisite for perceived justice and social cohesion. Insofar as they have been achieved in Britain in the past, it has been the result of collective bargaining between employers and trade unions. This has all but vanished in the private sector and, it is argued, there is no chance of its being revived. Upholding labour standards now lies in the provision of statutory individual employment rights. Experience with minimum wages provides some guidance on how these might be developed through social partnership arrangements. Once achieved, such rights amount to little without effective enforcement. Increasingly important for this is the use of the law and consumer campaigns to expose poor employment practices and complex supply chains so that offending employers can be held to account. If Britain is to avoid falling into a competitive ‘race to the bottom’ with Brexit, it must institute a robust means of implementing and enforcing decent labour standards.
Editorial: vancomycin – a promising option for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Authors: Chapman R. W.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Damman et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14540.
Editorial: alleviating the itch—the safety of rifampicin in the real world
Authors: Gordon‐Walker T. T.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Webb et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14579.
Does the introduction of prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging into the active surveillance protocol for localized prostate cancer improve patient re‐classification?
Authors: Bryant Richard J. , Yang Bob , Philippou Yiannis , Lam Karla , Obiakor Maureen , Ayers Jennifer , Chiocchia Virginia , Gleeson Fergus , MacPherson Ruth , Verrill Clare , Sooriakumaran Prasanna , Hamdy Freddie C. , Brewster Simon F.
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To determine whether replacement of protocol‐driven repeat prostate biopsy (PB) with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) ± repeat targeted prostate biopsy (TB) when evaluating men on active surveillance (AS) for low‐volume, low‐ to intermediate‐risk prostate cancer (PCa) altered the likelihood of or time to treatment, or reduced the number of repeat biopsies required to trigger treatment.

Patients and Methods

A total of 445 patients underwent AS in the period 2010–2016 at our institution, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up of 2.4 (1.2–3.7) years. Up to 2014, patients followed a ‘pre‐2014’ AS protocol, which incorporated PB, and subsequently, according to the 2014 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, patients followed a ‘2014–present’ AS protocol that included mpMRI. We identified four groups of patients within the cohort: ‘no mpMRI and no PB’; ‘PB alone’; ‘mpMRI ± TB’; and ‘PB and mpMRI ± TB’. Kaplan–Meier plots and log‐rank tests were used to compare groups.

Results

Of 445 patients, 132 (30%) discontinued AS and underwent treatment intervention, with a median (IQR) time to treatment of 1.55 (0.71–2.4) years. The commonest trigger for treatment was PCa upgrading after mpMRI and TB (43/132 patients, 29%). No significant difference was observed in the time at which patients receiving a PB alone or receiving mpMRI ± TB discontinued AS to undergo treatment (median 1.9 vs 1.33 years; P = 0.747). Considering only those patients who underwent repeat biopsy, a greater proportion of patients receiving TB after mpMRI discontinued AS compared with those receiving PB alone (29/66 [44%] vs 32/87 [37%]; P = 0.003). On average, a single set of repeat biopsies was needed to trigger treatment regardless of whether this was a PB or TB.

Conclusions

Replacing a systematic PB with mpMRI ±TB as part of an AS protocol increased the likelihood of re‐classifying patients on AS and identifying men with clinically significant disease requiring treatment. mpMRI ±TB as part of AS thereby represents a significant advance in the oncological safety of the AS protocol.
Effects on the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia during DPP‐4 inhibition in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Farngren Johan , Persson Margaretha , Ahrén Bo
Published: April 2018

Aims

Maintainance of glucagon response to hypoglycaemia is important as a safeguard against hypoglycaemia during glucose‐lowering therapy in type 2 diabetes. During recent years, DPP‐4 (dipeptidyl peptidase‐4) inhibition has become more commonly used in elderly patients. However, whether DPP‐4 inhibition affects the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia in the elderly is not known and was the aim of this study.

Methods

In a single‐centre, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled crossover study, 28 subjects with metformin‐treated type 2 diabetes (17 male, 11 female; mean age, 74 years [range 65‐86]; mean HbA1c, 51.5 mmol/mol [6.9%]) received sitagliptin (100 mg once daily) as add‐on therapy or placebo for 4 weeks with a 4‐week washout period in between. After each treatment period, the subjects underwent a standard breakfast test, followed by a 2‐step hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic clamp (target 3.5 and 3.0 mmol/L), followed by lunch.

Results

Glucagon levels after breakfast and lunch, and the glucagon response at 3.5 mmol/L, were lower after sitagliptin than after placebo. However, the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia at 3.1 mmol/L did not differ significantly between the two. Similarly, the noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol responses were lower with sitagliptin than with placebo at 3.5 mmol/L, but not at 3.1 mmol/L glucose. Responses in pancreatic polypeptide did not differ between the two.

Conclusions

Elderly subjects with metformin‐treated type 2 diabetes have lower glucagon levels at 3.5 mmol/L glucose, but maintain the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia at 3.1 mmol/L during DPP‐4 inhibition, which safeguards against hypoglycaemia and may contribute to decreasing the risk of hypoglycaemia by DPP‐4 inhibition in this age group.
A French observational study describing the use of human polyvalent immunoglobulins in hematological malignancy‐associated secondary immunodeficiency
Authors: Benbrahim Omar , Viallard Jean‐François , Choquet Sylvain , Royer Bruno , Bauduer Frédéric , Decaux Olivier , Crave Jean‐Charles , Fardini Yann , Clerson Pierre , Lévy Vincent
Published: April 2018

Objective

To describe the characteristics of patients suffering from secondary immunodeficiencies (SID) associated with hematological malignancies (HM), who started immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT), physicians’ expectations regarding IgRT, and IgRT modalities.

Methods

Non‐interventional, prospective French cross‐sectional study.

Results

The analysis included 231 patients (66 ± 12 years old) suffering from multiple myeloma (MM) (N = 64), chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) (N = 84), aggressive non‐Hodgkin B‐cell lymphoma (aNHL) (N = 32), indolent NHL (N = 39), acute leukemia (N = 6), and Hodgkin disease (N = 6). Of the HM, 47% were currently treated, 42% were relapsing or refractory, 23% of patients had received an autologous hematopoietic stem‐cell transplant, and 1% had received an allograft. Serum immunoglobulin trough levels in 195 individuals were less than 5 g/L in 68.7% of cases. Most patients had a history of recurrent infections. Immunoglobulin dose was about 400 mg/kg/mo. Half of patients started with subcutaneous infusion. When starting IgRT, physicians mainly expected to prevent severe and moderate infections. They also anticipated improvement in quality of life and survival which is beyond evidence‐based medicine.

Conclusion

NHL is a frequent condition motivating IgRT besides well‐recognized indications. Physicians mainly based the decision of starting IgRT on hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrence of infections but, irrespective of current recommendations, were also prepared to start IgRT prophylactically even in the absence of a history of infections.
Degradation of altered mitochondria by autophagy is impaired in Lafora disease
Authors: Lahuerta Marcos , Aguado Carmen , Sánchez‐Martín Pablo , Sanz Pascual , Knecht Erwin
Published: April 2018

Lafora disease (LD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused mostly by mutations in either of two genes encoding laforin and malin. LD is characterized by accumulation of a poorly branched form of glycogen in the cytoplasm of neurons and other cells. We previously reported dysfunctional mitochondria in different LD models. Now, using mitochondrial uncouplers and respiratory chain inhibitors, we have investigated with human fibroblasts a possible alteration in the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) in LD. By flow cytometry of MitoTracker‐labelled cells and measuring the levels of various mitochondrial proteins by western blot, we found in LD fibroblasts a partial impairment in the increased mitochondrial degradation produced by these treatments. In addition, colocalization of mitochondrial and lysosomal markers decreased in LD fibroblasts. All these results are consistent with a partial impairment in the induced autophagic degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria in LD fibroblasts. However, canonical recruitment of Parkin to mitochondria under these conditions remained unaffected in LD fibroblasts, and also in SH‐SY5Y cells after malin and laforin overexpression. Neither mitochondrial localization nor protein levels of Bcl‐2‐like protein 13, another component of the mitophagic machinery that operates under these conditions, were affected in LD fibroblasts. In contrast, although these treatments raised autophagy in both control and LD fibroblasts, this enhanced autophagy was clearly lower in the latter cells. Therefore, the autophagic degradation of altered mitochondria is impaired in LD, which is due to a partial defect in the autophagic response and not in the canonical mitophagy signalling pathways.