bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sensitivity of house prices under varying monetary regimes: the Nordic scenario
Authors: Cajias Marcelo , Ertl Sebastian
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether there are differences between the long and short-term relationship of house prices and interest rates. The elasticity of house prices to monetary policy changes, e.g. via interest rates, is from a theoretical perspective and in the long-run negative. However, house prices adapt in the short-run dynamically to economic, financial, institutional and demographic factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors confirm the aforementioned elasticity for the Nordic housing markets but provide evidence of drastic deviations from the negative relationship. This is done by using rolling regressions in search for time-varying betas.

Findings

The empirical results show that recessionary and expansionary policy regimes play a much more important role in the development of house prices in Finland, Sweden and Norway, than in Denmark.

Originality/value

Further, it is shown that the relationship between house prices and monetary policy is discontinuous over time, with large deviations from the long-term beta during the past decade. This holds true especially since the beginning of the financial crisis and the expansionary monetary policy in Europe.
The effectiveness of RFID in backroom and sales floor inventory management
Authors: Goyal Sandeep , Hardgrave Bill C. , Aloysius John A. , DeHoratius Nicole
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Perceived as an antidote to poor execution, interest in radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled visibility has grown. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how RFID-enabled visibility with item-level tagging improves store execution.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted three field-based experiments in collaboration with two Fortune 500 retailers.

Findings

RFID-enabled visibility resulted in a sizable decrease in inventory record inaccuracy and out-of-stocks for inventory held in both the backroom and on the sales floor. The decrease in inventory record inaccuracy and out-of-stocks was even greater among products stored primarily on the sales floor suggesting the benefits from increased visibility accrue to sales floor inventory management processes. In contrast, the authors found no significant improvement in inventory record inaccuracy and no substantive improvement in out-of-stocks among products stored primarily in the backroom suggesting that increased visibility does not improve backroom management processes.

Practical implications

The authors recommend retailers focus on sales floor inventory management when seeking to improve store execution through the adoption of RFID-enabled visibility. In the context, only partial evidence exists that backroom inventory management improves with RFID-enabled visibility.

Originality/value

Retailers seeking to invest in RFID technology must estimate potential performance improvements before making firm-specific cost-benefit analyses. They must also understand where and how these performance improvements will accrue. This research uniquely presents the results of a three field experiments that quantify the changes in retail execution associated with RFID adoption.
Supply chain integration and logistics performance: the role of supply chain dynamism
Authors: Lee Hee-Yong , Seo Young-Joon , Dinwoodie John
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand knowledge of supply chain management (SCM) by empirically testing the moderating effects of supply chain dynamism (SCD) on the association between supply chain integration (SCI) and logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methods were used to measure the perspective of South Korean manufacturers. Moderated hierarchical regression analysis was undertaken to test the proposed hypotheses empirically.

Findings

The findings suggest that SCI can enhance logistics performance when the level of SCD is high, but the effects of SCI on logistics performance are blurred at low levels of SCD.

Originality/value

This finding provides empirical evidence of the moderating effects of SCD on the SCI-logistics performance link and offers a new interpretation of the relationship. This work contributes to SCM disciplines by providing theory-driven and empirically tested explanations.
A systems approach for forward and reverse logistics design
Authors: Jaaron Ayham A.M. , Backhouse Chris
Published: April 2017

Purpose

There is significant potential for adding value by involving customer in the design process and delivery of logistic services. In order to add value to the overall logistic system, the purpose of this paper is to apply an integrated systems approach for the design of forward and reverse logistics services in order to build a self-organising service that can maximise efficiencies and in particular reduce reverse logistics costs.

Design/methodology/approach

Two exploratory case studies were conducted in the logistics systems of housing repair and maintenance sector in the UK. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observations, and documented evidence.

Findings

The findings of the cross-case analysis suggests that systems approach expressed as the Vanguard Method (Seddon, 2008) has a direct impact on enhancing forward logistics performance and reducing reverse product flows by nourishing three dimensions for learning from demand-driven analysis; capturing customer clean information, demand predictability and categorisation, and failure demand analysis.

Research limitations/implications

Findings from exploratory case studies cannot be easily generalised. Hence, further case studies are needed to enrich the findings, and to facilitate their industrial applications. Further, the paper explores the utilisation of the Vanguard Method only in the area of housing repairs and maintenance logistics services. It would be valuable for future studies to further investigate the utilisation of the Vanguard Method in other logistics services settings.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates an important dynamics of how logistics services can incorporate customer demands into the logistics design process.
Addressing a broken peer review process
Authors: Hazen Benjamin T. , Fawcett Stanley E. , Ogden Jeffrey A. , Autry Chad W. , Richey R. Glenn , Ellinger Alexander E.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bring awareness to the logistics and supply chain management (L/SCM) community’s broken review process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors diagnose some of the core problems that limit the L/SCM community from disseminating high-quality research in a timely manner.

Findings

Problems attributable to authors, reviewers, and editors are described, and recommendations for each review process participant are provided.

Originality/value

This editorial provides a call for further discussion and action in terms of how the community can improve the contribution to knowledge and society.
Pomegranate (punica granatum) rind extract as an efficient alternative to synthetic preservatives in fat-rich meat products
Authors: Dua Sourab , Bhat Z.F. , Kumar Sunil
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Pomegranate rind has been reported to have strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using pomegranate rind extract as an efficient alternative to synthetic antioxidants and preservatives in fat-rich meat products, which are highly susceptible to lipid oxidation.

Design/methodology/approach

Tabak-Maaz, a fat-rich meat product, was used as a model system and treated with different concentrations of pomegranate rind extract (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent) and aerobically packaged within low-density polyethylene pouches and assessed for lipid oxidative stability and storage quality under refrigerated (4 to 1°C) conditions. The products were evaluated for various physicochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters at regular intervals of 0, 7, 14 and 21 days.

Findings

Pomegranate rind extract showed a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the lipid oxidative stability, as the treated products exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower TBARS (mg malonaldehyde/kg) values. A significant (p < 0.05) effect was also observed on the microbiological characteristics of the products, as treated products showed significantly lower values for microbial and yeast and mould counts and for free fatty-acid (% oleic acid) values. Sensory parameters showed significant (p < 0.05) decreasing trend for both control as well as treated products throughout the period of storage; however, significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores were observed for pomegranate rind extract-treated products when compared to the control.

Originality/value

Pomegranate rind extract successfully improved the lipid oxidative stability and storage quality of the products during refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) storage and may be commercially exploited by the meat industry as an efficient alternative without adversely affecting the sensory quality of the products.
Transparency-by-design as a foundation for open government
Authors: Janssen Marijn , Matheus Ricardo , Longo Justin , Weerakkody Vishanth
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Many governments are working toward a vision of government-wide transformation that strives to achieve an open, transparent and accountable government while providing responsive services. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of transparency-by-design to advance open government.

Design/methodology/approach

The opening of data, the deployment of tools and instruments to engage the public, collaboration among public organizations and between governments and the public are important drivers for open government. The authors review transparency-by-design concepts.

Findings

To successfully achieve open government, fundamental changes in practice and new research on governments as open systems are needed. In particular, the creation of “transparency-by-design” is a key aspect in which transparency is a key system development requirement, and the systems ensure that data are disclosed to the public for creating transparency.

Research limitations/implications

Although transparency-by-design is an intuitive concept, more research is needed in what constitutes information and communication technology-mediated transparency and how it can be realized.

Practical implications

Governments should embrace transparency-by-design to open more data sets and come closer to achieving open government.

Originality/value

Transparency-by-design is a new concept that has not given any attention yet in the literature.
Transparency and open government data
Authors: Corrêa Andreiwid Sh. , Paula Evandro Couto de , Corrêa Pedro Luiz Pizzigatti , Silva Flávio Soares Corrêa da
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and to understand how current data portals comply with open government data (OGD) principles in the context of Brazilian local government.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, we assessed a sample of 561 municipalities from a universe of interest of 3,052 ones expected to disclose information using the internet. As part of our methodology, the authors analyzed the required items for active disclosure and the technical requirements, all enforced by Brazilian law and close to OGD principles which are the focus of analysis of the authors.

Findings

The findings generally show the vast majority of assessed data portals did not comply with the basic requirements stated by national law, consequently not complying with OGD principles, and prevent society from benefiting from government data openness. The authors also found arguments that the national law should explicitly reproduce OGD principles, as they demonstrate clearer understanding about the global context of open data.

Originality/value

The contributions of this work can be used to plan public data openness actions over the internet and envision effective accountability and public participation with clearer legislation and with the effective implementation of OGD principles in data portals.
Union membership and job satisfaction: Initial evidence from French linked employer–employee data
Authors: Laroche Patrice
Published: April 2017

A number of contradictory theoretical hypotheses have been advanced about the relationship between unionisation and job satisfaction. In this article, new evidence of the effects of unionisation on job satisfaction is presented using French linked employer–employee data from the 2011 REPONSE Survey. A bivariate probit model is estimated to deal with the reverse causation issue that many previous studies have failed to account for. The results indicate that union members are less satisfied with their jobs than non‐members, even after taking into account certain individual characteristics, job attributes and workplace characteristics. However, after controlling for endogeneity of union membership, we find that the difference in job satisfaction between unionised and non‐unionised workers disappears because of a selection effect in workplaces covered only by a national/sectoral collective agreement and attributable to a causal effect arising from union's voice function in workplaces covered by a local agreement.
Paleoseismological Study of the Late Quaternary Slip‐rate along the South Barkol Basin Fault and Its Tectonic Implications, Eastern Tian Shan, Xinjiang
Authors: WU Fuyao , RAN Yongkang , XU Liangxin , CAO Jun , LI An
Published: April 2017

The easternmost Tian Shan lies in eastern Xinjiang, Central Asia. The South Barkol basin fault (SBF) in the northern part of the easternmost Tian Shan is a major tectonic structure in this orogenic region. The late Quaternary activity, paleoseismology, and deformation characteristics of the fault provide important clues for understanding the tectonic process of the eastern Tian Shan orogen and implementing seismic mitigation. Through interpretation of high‐resolution satellite images, unmanned aerial vehicle measurements, and detailed geological and geomorphic investigations, we suggest that the fault exhibits clear left‐lateral slip along its western segment. Paleoseismic trenches dug near Xiongkuer reveal evidence of six large paleoearthquakes. The four latest paleoearthquakes were dated: the oldest event occurred at 4663 BC–3839 BC. Data on the horizontal offsets along the probable 1842 Barkol earthquake coseismic rupture suggest clear multiple relationships between cumulative offsets and possible ∼4 m of coseismic left‐lateral slip per event. From the cumulative offsets and 14C sample ages, we suggest an average Holocene left‐lateral slip rate of 2.4–2.8 mm/a on the SBF, accounting for ∼80% of lateral deformation within the entire eastern Tian Shan fault system. This result is comparable with the shortening rate of 2–4 mm/a in the whole eastern Tian Shan, indicating an equal role of strike‐slip tectonics and compressional tectonics in this orogen, and that the SBF may accommodate substantial lateral tectonic deformation.
Paleo‐Tethyan Oceanic Crust Subduction in the Eastern Section of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt: Geochronology and Petrogenesis of the Qushi'ang Granodiorite
Authors: CHEN Guochao , PEI Xianzhi , LI Ruibao , LI Zuochen , LIU Chengjun , CHEN Youxin , PEI Lei , WANG Meng , LI Xiaobing
Published: April 2017

The Qushi'ang granodiorite (QSG) is located at the central east of the ophiolitic melange belt in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) in the northern margin of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating suggests that the granodiorite and mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) crystallized 246.61±0.62 and 245.45±0.9 Ma ago, respectively. Granodiorite, porphyritic diorite, and MMEs are metaluminous and medium‐K calk ‐ alkaline series, with island‐arc magma features, such as LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion. The porphyritic diorite has high Cr (13.50 ppm to 59.01 ppm), Ni (228.53 ppm to 261.29 ppm), and Mg# (46–54). Granodiorite and porphyritic diorite have similar mineral compositions and evolved major and trace elements contents, particularly Cr and Ni, both of which are significantly higher than that in granites of the same period. The crystallization age of MMEs is close to that of granodiorite, and their major and trace elements contents are in‐between porphyritic diorite and granodiorite. The results suggest that the original mafic magma, which was the product of mantle melting by subduction process, intruded into the lower crust (Kuhai Rock Group), resulting in the formation of granodiorite. Countinous intrusion of mafic magma into the unconsolidated granodiorite formed MMEs and porphyritic diorite. The granodiorite reformed by late‐stage strike‐slip faulting tectonic event indicates that the strike‐slip fault of Middle Kunlun and the collision of the Bayanhar block with East Kunlun were later than 246 Ma. Therefore, the formation of the QSG not only indicates the critical period of evolution of East Kunlun but also represents the tectonic transition from oceanic crust subduction to slab breaking.
A TRANSITIONS STUDIES PERSPECTIVE ON THE SOCIAL ECONOMY; EXPLORING INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND CAPTURE IN FLEMISH ‘INSERTION’ PRACTICES
Authors: PEL Bonno , BAULER Tom
Published: April 2017

Current persistent challenges of sustainable and equitable development call for systemic technical and social innovations. The ´insertion´ practices of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) can be considered examples of such innovation efforts. The underlying rationales and institutional frameworks have been elaborated extensively in social economy scholarship. However, as WISEs are frequently reported to fall victim to pressures towards isomorphism or ‘capture’ by incumbent institutional structures, transitions theory seems worthwhile to invoke in order to develop a dynamic understanding of these processes. As illustrated through case study data on the Flemish social economy, it is highlighted how ´insertion´ displays longitudinal dynamics of institutional capture that are similar to those observed in sustainability transitions more generally. This empirical analysis helps to identify the scope for fruitful paradigmatic interplay between transitions studies and social economy scholarship.
Malaysian Foreign Policy Toward Singapore From Mahathir to Badawi and Najib: A Role Theory Assessment
Authors: Han David Guo Xiong
Published: April 2017

By employing role theory, this article shall argue that changes in Malaysia's national role conceptions from Mahathir to Abdullah Badawi and Najib Razak have contributed to the improvement of Malaysia‐Singapore relations in recent years. Under Mahathir, Malaysia's national role conception as a “close and important neighbor” to Singapore accentuated a “senior‐junior” distinction between Malaysia and Singapore. This led to a clash of national roles between Malaysia and Singapore and resulted in bilateral contentions. For Badawi and Najib, Malaysia is also a close and important neighbor to Singapore. However, both leaders have reconceptualized Malaysia's national role conception into an “important and symbiotic partner” to de‐emphasize Singapore as a negative “historical and significant other,” and promote cooperation to improve bilateral relations. Malaysia's additional role as an ASEAN member complements its symbiotic partnership with Singapore.
Semiparametric Estimation of the Accelerated Failure Time Model with Partly Interval-Censored Data
Authors: Gao Fei , Zeng Donglin , Lin Dan-Yu
Published: April 2017

Partly interval-censored (PIC) data arise when some failure times are exactly observed while others are only known to lie within certain intervals. In this article, we consider efficient semiparametric estimation of the accelerated failure time (AFT) model with PIC data. We first generalize the Buckley–James estimator for right-censored data to PIC data. Then, we develop a one-step estimator by deriving and estimating the efficient score for the regression parameters. We show that under mild regularity conditions the generalized Buckley–James estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal and the one-step estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal with a covariance matrix that attains the semiparametric efficiency bound. We conduct extensive simulation studies to examine the performance of the proposed estimators in finite samples and apply our methods to data derived from an AIDS study.
A Profile Likelihood Approach for Longitudinal Data Analysis
Authors: Chen Ziqi , Tang Man-Lai , Gao Wei
Published: April 2017

Inappropriate choice of working correlation structure in generalized estimating equations (GEE) could lead to inefficient parameter estimation while impractical normality assumption in likelihood approach would limit its applicability in longitudinal data analysis. In this article, we propose a profile likelihood method for estimating parameters in longitudinal data analysis via maximizing the estimated likelihood. The proposed method yields consistent and efficient estimates without specifications of the working correlation structure nor the underlying error distribution. Both theoretical and simulation results confirm the satisfactory performance of the proposed method. We illustrate our methodology with a diastolic blood pressure data set.
Glucose metabolism‐targeted therapy and withaferin A are effective for epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐induced drug‐tolerant persisters
Authors: Kunimasa Kei , Nagano Tatsuya , Shimono Yohei , Dokuni Ryota , Kiriu Tatsunori , Tokunaga Shuntaro , Tamura Daisuke , Yamamoto Masatsugu , Tachihara Motoko , Kobayashi Kazuyuki , Satouchi Miyako , Nishimura Yoshihiro
Published: April 2017

In pathway‐targeted cancer drug therapies, the relatively rapid emergence of drug‐tolerant persisters (DTPs) substantially limits the overall therapeutic benefit. However, little is known about the roles of DTPs in drug resistance. In this study, we investigated the features of epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐induced DTPs and explored a new treatment strategy to overcome the emergence of these DTPs. We used two EGFR‐mutated lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, PC9 and II‐18. They were treated with 2 μM gefitinib for 6, 12, or 24 days or 6 months. We analyzed the mRNA expression of the stem cell‐related markers by quantitative RT‐PCR and the expression of the cellular senescence‐associated proteins. Then we sorted DTPs according to the expression pattern of CD133 and analyzed the features of sorted cells. Finally, we tried to ablate DTPs by glucose metabolism targeting therapies and a stem‐like cell targeting drug, withaferin A. Drug‐tolerant persisters were composed of at least two types of cells, one with the properties of cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) and the other with the properties of therapy‐induced senescent (TIS) cells. The CD133high cell population had CSC properties and the CD133low cell population had TIS properties. The CD133low cell population containing TIS cells showed a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype that supported the emergence of the CD133high cell population containing CSCs. Glucose metabolism inhibitors effectively eliminated the CD133low cell population. Withaferin A effectively eliminated the CD133high cell population. The combination of phloretin and withaferin A effectively suppressed gefitinib‐resistant tumor growth.
Co‐delivery of microRNA‐21 antisense oligonucleotides and gemcitabine using nanomedicine for pancreatic cancer therapy
Authors: Li Yaqing , Chen Yinting , Li Jiajia , Zhang Zuoquan , Huang Chumei , Lian Guoda , Yang Kege , Chen Shaojie , Lin Ying , Wang Lingyun , Huang Kaihong , Zeng Linjuan
Published: April 2017

Tumor metastasis occurs naturally in pancreatic cancer, and the efficacy of chemotherapy is usually poor. Precision medicine, combining downregulation of target genes with chemotherapy drugs, is expected to improve therapeutic effects. Therefore, we developed a combined therapy of microRNA‐21 antisense oligonucleotides (ASO‐miR‐21) and gemcitabine (Gem) using a targeted co‐delivery nanoparticle (NP) carrier and investigated the synergistic inhibitory effects on pancreatic cancer cells metastasis and growth. Polyethylene glycol–polyethylenimine–magnetic iron oxide NPs were used to co‐deliver ASO‐miR‐21 and Gem. An anti‐CD44v6 single‐chain variable fragment (scFvCD44v6) was used to coat the particles to obtain active and targeted delivery. Our results showed that the downregulation of the oncogenic miR‐21 by ASO resulted in upregulation of the tumor‐suppressor genes PDCD4 and PTEN and the suppression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, which inhibited the proliferation and induced the clonal formation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. The co‐delivery of ASO‐miR‐21 and Gem induced more cell apoptosis and inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells to a greater extent than single ASO‐miR‐21 or Gem treatment in vitro. In animal tests, more scFvCD44v6‐PEG‐polyethylenimine/ASO‐magnetic iron oxide NP/Gem accumulated at the tumor site than non‐targeted NPs and induced a potent inhibition of tumor proliferation and metastasis. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to observed tumor homing of NPs. These results imply that the combination of miR‐21 gene silencing and Gem therapy using an scFv‐functionalized NP carrier exerted synergistic antitumor effects on pancreatic cancer cells, which is a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy.
Clinical presentation and outcome of children with central diabetes insipidus associated with a self‐limited or transient pituitary stalk thickening, diagnosed as infundibuloneurohypophysitis
Authors: Schaefers J. , Cools M. , De Waele K. , Gies I. , Beauloye V. , Lysy P. , Francois I. , Beckers D. , De Schepper J.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Despite lymphocytic or autoimmune infundibuloneurohypophysitis (INH) is an increasingly recognized aetiology in children with central diabetes insipidus (CDI); clinical data on epidemiology (clinical evolution, predisposing factors, complications), diagnosis and management of this entity are limited and mostly based on published case reports. The aim of this study was to gain a broader insight in the natural history of this disease by analysing the clinical presentation, radiological pituitary stalk changes, associated autoimmunity and hormonal deficiencies in children with CDI and a self‐limiting or transient stalk thickening (ST), diagnosed as autoimmune infundibuloneurohypophysitis, during the last 15 years in four Belgian university hospitals.

Design and Patients

The medical files of nine CDI patients with a ST at initial presentation and no signs of Langerhans cell histiocytosis or germinoma at presentation and/or during follow‐up of more than 1.5 years were reviewed.

Results

Age at presentation ranged from 3 to 14 years. Two patients had a positive family history of autoimmunity. Three children presented with associated growth failure, two with nausea and one with long‐standing headache. Median maximal diameter of the stalk was 4.6 mm (2.7‐10 mm). Four patients had extra‐pituitary brain anomalies, such as cysts. One patient had central hypothyroidism, and another had a partial growth hormone deficiency at diagnosis. Within a mean follow‐up of 5.4 (1.5‐15) years, stalk thickening remained unchanged in two patients, regressed in one and normalized in six children. CDI remained in all, while additional pituitary hormone deficiencies developed in only one patient.

Conclusions

In this series of children INH with CDI as initial presentation, CDI was permanent and infrequently associated with anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, despite a frequent association with nonstalk cerebral lesions.
Helping Learners to Orient to the Inverted or Flipped Language Classroom: Mediation via Informational Video
Authors: Moranski Kara , Henery Ashlie
Published: April 2017

Inverted (“flipped”) pedagogical models are rapidly increasing in prevalence within language education. These models are particularly relevant for language learning given that they promote learner agency and encourage the use of artifacts to mediate cognition. However, the specific methods used in these models are often not anticipated by learners who expect a more instructor‐ or grammar‐focused approach in class. Such expectancy violations can be detrimental because learner expectations may impact motivation and learning (Chang, Wall, Tare, Golonka, & Vatz, 2014). The current study explored the use of a video to (re)mediate students’ expectations and understanding of the inverted classroom. Research questions explored the extent to which the use of an instructional video that explained this pedagogical model impacted learners’ expectations and affective orientation to the course structure and whether individual differences moderated this impact. Results showed that the video adjusted students’ expectations, particularly in the area of second language prevalence in the classroom. In addition, there was a significant pre‐post increase in students’ comfort with the inverted model. Finally, significant differences among learner subgroups at the beginning of the semester were no longer present at the course's end. These results support the use of an introductory video for mediating learners’ conceptualization of language pedagogy.
Low back pain among nurses in Slovenian hospitals: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Skela‐Savič B. , Pesjak K. , Hvalič‐Touzery S.
Published: April 2017

Aim

The study investigated the prevalence and factors predicting low back pain among nurses in Slovenian hospitals.

Background

The risk factors for low back pain are physical and psychosocial. Implementation of interventions for reducing low back pain calls for management support, accessible equipment, education, knowledge and risk assessment.

Introduction

Low back pain prevalence and incidence among healthcare workers is very high compared to the general population and is a strong risk factor for long‐term sickness absence.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was utilized. We used validated instruments: Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire, Stanford Presenteeism Scale and Perceived Stress Scale. The sample included 1744 nursing employees from 16 Slovenian hospitals, ranging from practical nurses, registered nurses, nurses with a bachelor's degree and those with a master's degree.

Findings

Results revealed a prevalence of low back pain among 85.9% of respondents. Relevant risk factors included female gender, age, length of employment, years in current position, shift work and the number of nurses per shift. In the regression model, factors predicting low back pain included presenteeism with a negative effect on work, presenteeism and maintaining work productivity, inability to control daily life, number of nurses per shift and respondents' age.

Conclusions

Future activities should be oriented towards eliminating or reducing risks for low back pain incidents and towards different strategies, guidelines and actions which empower individuals and provide knowledge to manage and prevent low back pain.

Implications for management and health policy

Slovenian healthcare system planning needs a national strategy to successfully promote LBP preventive and controlling strategies. Management can plan preventive and curative measures to reduce low back pain prevalence among nursing personnel. Management should also implement policies reflecting research findings.
Ficolin‐3/adiponectin ratio for the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women
Authors: Yuan Xiao‐song , Shi Hui , Wang Hui‐yan , Yu Bin , Jiang Jian
Published: April 2017

Aims/Introduction

To establish that the ficolin‐3/adiponectin ratio is a predictor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and is eligible for screening tests for GDM.

Materials and Methods

A prospective cohort study of 86 pregnant women who developed GDM and 273 normal glucose tolerance participants was carried out. Maternal serum ficolin‐3, adiponectin levels were investigated at 16–18 weeks of gestation using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Compared with the normal glucose tolerance group, the GDM group showed significantly higher levels of ficolin‐3 and the ratio of ficolin‐3/adiponectin; and decreased levels of adiponectin between 16–18 weeks of gestation (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The cut‐off values for the ratio of ficolin‐3/adiponectin (≥1.06; sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 96.5%) to discriminate the pregnant women who developed GDM from the non‐diabetic cases were identified using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Using binary logistic regression analysis, ficolin‐3, retinol‐binding protein‐4 and adiponectin, but not C‐reactive protein, triglyceride and free fatty acids were shown as predictive factors for GDM.

Conclusions

The ratio of ficolin‐3/adiponectin at 16–18 weeks of gestation was changed in pregnant women who subsequently developed GDM, and might provide effective early predicting and screening for GDM.
Timing Law School
Authors: McIntyre Frank , Simkovic Michael
Published: April 2017

We investigate whether economic conditions at labor market entry predict long‐term differences in law graduate earnings. We find that unemployment levels at graduation continue to predict law earnings premiums within four years after graduation for earners at the high end and middle of the distribution. However, the relation fades as law graduates gain experience and the difference in lifetime earnings is moderate. Outcomes data available prior to matriculation do not predict unemployment or starting salaries at graduation. Earnings premiums are not predicted by BLS projected job openings. Although changes in cohort size predict changes in the percent of law graduates practicing law, we find little evidence that changes in cohort size predict changes in earnings. This suggests that law graduates who switch to other occupations when law cohort sizes increase are not hurt financially by larger cohorts. For medium‐ to high‐earning graduates, successfully timing law school predicts a higher value of a law degree ex‐post, but simulations show that no strategy for ex‐ante timing is readily available.
Systematics and Molecular Phylogeny of the Ciliate Genus Pseudokeronopsis (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia)
Authors: Li Ju , Zhan Zifeng , Xu Kuidong
Published: April 2017

A still challenging study on ciliate systematics is to clarify the taxonomic and phylogenetic confusions of the fascinating pigmented Pseudokeronopsis species because of their high interspecific similarities. We evaluated the identities and internal relationships within Pseudokeronopsis based on morphological descriptions in combination with the 18S and ITS‐5.8S rDNA genetic distances, ITS2 secondary structures and phylogenetic analyses. Results showed that (1) Pseudokeronopsis pararubra, a species ever synonymized as Pseudokeronopsis carnea, is a valid species; (2) most Chinese populations identified as Pseudokeronopsis rubra represent a new species namely Pseudokeronopsis songi sp. nov.; (3) within Pseudokeronopsis, P. carnea branched early, while P. songi sp. nov., P. flava, and P. erythrina showed close relationships and formed a sister clade with P. pararubra; (4) compared to 18S and ITS2 rDNA, ITS‐5.8S rDNA is more suitable for separating Pseudokeronopsis species, with pairwise distances of 0–0.0441 at the intraspecific level and 0.0635–0.1150 at the interspecific level; and (5) the core structure of Pseudokeronopsis ITS2 includes three helices, with helix III being the longest and showing an identical pattern in conspecific populations and small differences among species. Based on the evaluation, we clarify all misidentified and dubious 18S and ITS‐5.8S rDNA sequences of Pseudokeronopsis in GenBank.
Optimized Processing Parameters in Post‐Harvest Treatments of Algerian Dry Dates using Hot Water and Hot Vapor Successive Operations
Authors: Berrebeuh Mohamed Hafed , Boubekri Abdelghani , Balti Mohamed Amine , Chouicha Samira , Mennouche Djamel , Kechaou Nabil
Published: April 2017

This paper aims to promote the artificial ripening of Algeria's dry Deglet‐Nour dates commonly named Frezza, by successive treatments using hot water soaking and hot vapor steaming. The main objective of the study was to optimize the gain in mass during the proposed hydrothermal process using an experimental design method. Water uptake during rehydration has been optimized according to two complete factorial designs; the first 23 based on eight experiments and the second 22 of four experiments. The conducted experimental investigations showed a maximum of water gain by water soaking and a little part by steaming operation. Obtained and analyzed results led to optimal conditions defined by soaking in water at 30 °C during 8 h followed by hot vapor treatment in a confined chamber at 60 °C under 90% RH.

Practical Applications

Artificial ripening of Deglet‐Nour dates, with different hydration techniques, is an industry practice known in Algeria since the 1950s, but under nonoptimized operating conditions. This paper presents a contribution to the optimization of the rehydration process of dates by water soaking and hot vapor steaming. The results of the study will be useful in the sense of ensuring an added value by enhancing the product quality. The obtained results also permit to minimize the necessary energetic consumption for steam production.
Image analysis based validation and kinetic parameter estimation of rice cooking
Authors: Amogha V. , Shinde Yogesh H. , Pandit Aniruddha B. , Joshi Jyeshtharaj B.
Published: April 2017

The thermal efficiency of currently employed cooking methods ranges between 10 and 25%. Cooking accounts for ∼40% of total energy consumed in developing world indicating toward huge scope for improvement. To develop the cooking methods of better efficiency, bringing down the energy consumption, it is necessary to understand the kinetics of cooking. As rice is a staple food for nearly 50% of the world's population, an attempt is made to scientifically explore the kinetics of rice cooking process. It is a well‐known fact that presoaking of the rice reduces the cooking time and thus reduces energy consumption, to support this numerically, different parametric measurements such as moisture absorption, change in dimensions (length and width) of rice grain while cooking, are utilized for estimating the cooking kinetics. In addition, the technique of image analysis was also used for easy and quick estimation of the extent of cooking. Experiments were performed with both un‐soaked and presoaked rice at three different temperatures (80, 90, and 97 °C) to evaluate the kinetics of rice cooking process. The activation energies for cooking of un‐soaked and presoaked rice were found to be ∼ 75 kJ/mol and ∼ 70 kJ/mol, respectively, which is in good agreement with the values reported in literature. Regime of operation for cooking of rice is found to be diffusion controlled based on swelling particle model.

Practical applications

Around 40 % of the total energy consumed in the developing world (population more than 496 billion) goes in cooking processes (Joshi et al., ). This huge energy consumption can be attributed to the inefficiencies related to cooking methods and/or devices. There is an urgent need to employ an energy efficient engineering solution for preparing hygienic, nutritious meals, which also has advantages of energy efficiency, ease of operation and efficient resource utilization. In order to design any efficient cooking device, kinetics of cooking for particular food material must be studied. Shinde et al. (), Joshi et al. () have designed the energy efficient batch and continuous cookers. Presented work utilizes simple method for determining kinetics of rice cooking, which can be easily extended to obtain kinetics of any other food material.
The dual orexin receptor antagonist, DORA‐22, lowers histamine levels in the lateral hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex without lowering hippocampal acetylcholine
Authors: Yao Lihang , Ramirez Andres D. , Roecker Anthony J. , Fox Steven V. , Uslaner Jason M. , Smith Sean M. , Hodgson Robert , Coleman Paul J. , Renger John J. , Winrow Christopher J. , Gotter Anthony L.
Published: April 2017

Chronic insomnia is defined as a persistent difficulty with sleep initiation maintenance or non‐restorative sleep. The therapeutic standard of care for this condition is treatment with gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor modulators, which promote sleep but are associated with a panoply of side effects, including cognitive and memory impairment. Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) have recently emerged as an alternative therapeutic approach that acts via a distinct and more selective wake‐attenuating mechanism with the potential to be associated with milder side effects. Given their distinct mechanism of action, the current work tested the hypothesis that DORAs and GABAA receptor modulators differentially regulate neurochemical pathways associated with differences in sleep architecture and cognitive performance induced by these pharmacological mechanisms. Our findings showed that DORA‐22 suppresses the release of the wake neurotransmitter histamine in the lateral hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus with no significant alterations in acetylcholine levels. In contrast, eszopiclone, commonly used as a GABAA modulator, inhibited acetylcholine secretion across brain regions with variable effects on histamine release depending on the extent of wakefulness induction. In normal waking rats, eszopiclone only transiently suppressed histamine secretion, whereas this suppression was more obvious under caffeine‐induced wakefulness. Compared with the GABAA modulator eszopiclone, DORA‐22 elicits a neurotransmitter profile consistent with wake reduction that does not impinge on neurotransmitter levels associated with cognition and rapid eye movement sleep.

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Predictors of complication following lower extremity amputation in diabetic end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Park Young Hwan , Song Jong Hyub , Choi Gi Won , Kim Hak Jun
Published: April 2017

Aim

Patients with diabetic end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) are at increased risk of lower extremity amputation (LEA) and postoperative complications compared to those without diabetic ESRD. This study sought to determine the factors that influence complications following LEA in patients with diabetic ESRD.

Methods

A total of 41 patients with diabetic ESRD (total of 46 amputations) who underwent LEA were enrolled in this study. The electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify the predictors of postoperative complications. The outcomes were divided into three categories: no complications, minor complications (wounds requiring only local care or oral antibiotics), and major complications (requiring surgical intervention, further amputations, or inducing life‐threatening morbidities and mortalities).

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that underlying sepsis (P = 0.007) was the only significant risk factor for major complications, with an odds ratio demonstrating an 8.16 times increased risk of requiring another surgery or mortality compared to those without sepsis.

Conclusion

Preoperative sepsis is an independent risk factor for major complications after LEA in patients with diabetic ESRD. We advise particular caution when performing LEA in diabetic ESRD patients who are also septic. Early amputation, prior to the development of sepsis, is preferable.
Studies on the Alocasia clade (Araceae) of Peninsular Malaysia I: Alocasia farisii sp. nov. from limestone in Kelantan
Authors: Hamzah Zulhazman , Salleh Norzielawati , Boyce Peter C.
Published: April 2017

Alocasia farisii Zulhazman, Norzielawati & P. C. Boyce is described and illustrated from Karst limestone in Kelantan as the first recorded Peninsular Malaysian species of the hitherto wholly Bornean Alocasia princeps complex, within which A. farisii most closely resembles the southwest Sarawak limestone‐obligated Alocasia reversa N. E. Br.
A network engineering perspective on probing and perturbing cognition with neurofeedback
Authors: Bassett Danielle S. , Khambhati Ankit N.
Published: April 2017

Network science and engineering provide a flexible and generalizable tool set to describe and manipulate complex systems characterized by heterogeneous interaction patterns among component parts. While classically applied to social systems, these tools have recently proven to be particularly useful in the study of the brain. In this review, we describe the nascent use of these tools to understand human cognition, and we discuss their utility in informing the meaningful and predictable perturbation of cognition in combination with the emerging capabilities of neurofeedback. To blend these disparate strands of research, we build on emerging conceptualizations of how the brain functions (as a complex network) and how we can develop and target interventions or modulations (as a form of network control). We close with an outline of current frontiers that bridge neurofeedback, connectomics, and network control theory to better understand human cognition.
The Law: A Constitutionalist's Defense of Prerogative: Taft's Our Chief Magistrate and His Powers
Authors: Burns Kevin J.
Published: April 2017

Traditional discussions of presidential prerogative power have grouped scholars into “Jeffersonian” and “Hamiltonian” camps, both of which seek to justify the broad‐ranging use of executive power in an emergency while also admitting that the prerogative power is technically illegal or extralegal. This article explores William Howard Taft's Our Chief Magistrate and His Powers, which lays out a theory of Article II that permits the president to employ expansive executive means to attain limited constitutional ends. By both legalizing and limiting the president's use of prerogative, Taft's understanding of the Constitution and prerogative may contribute to the scholarly debate on executive power.
Case Reports and Open Source Work Products in PAR
Authors: Reed David S.
Published: April 2017

Related Content: Perry (PAR March/April 2017)
Automated Finite Element Analysis of Tree Branches
Authors: Shahbazi Zahra , Keane Devon , Avanzi Domenick , Evans Lance S.
Published: April 2017

Finite element analysis (FEA) has been one of the successful tools in studying mechanical behavior of biological materials. There are many instances where creating FE models requires extensive time and effort. Such instances include finite element analysis of tree branches with complex geometries and varying mechanical properties. Once a FE model of a tree branch is created, the model is not applicable to another branch, and all the modeling steps must be repeated for each new branch with a different geometry and, in some cases, material. In this paper, we describe a new and novel program “Immediate-TREE” and its associated guided user interface (GUI). This program provides researchers a fast and efficient tool to create finite element analysis of a large variety of tree branches. Immediate-TREE automates the process of creating finite element models with the use of computer-generated Python files. Immediate-TREE uses tree branch data (geometry, mechanical, and material properties) and generates Python files. Files were then run in finite element analysis software (abaqus) to complete the analysis. Immediate-TREE is approximately 240 times faster than creating the same model directly in the FEA software (abaqus). This new process can be used with a large variety of biological applications including analyses of bones, teeth, as well as known biological materials.