bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reforming land mortgages in rural China and the incentives for application of environment-friendly formula fertilizers on farm
Authors: Peng Peng , Zhou Li
Published: December 2019

Purpose

From the perspective of land mortgages, the purpose of this paper is to understand how farmers can be motivated to utilize environment-friendly formula fertilizers, thereby reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.

Design/methodology/approach

Two hypotheses are empirically tested using questionnaire responses from 714 farmers across three provinces in China to establish the relationship and to determine the role land rent plays.

Findings

This study finds that farmers who obtain land mortgages will be more willing to apply formula fertilizers in order to obtain higher value of their “own” land. This is because obtaining land mortgages can be considered as the process of titling land management rights. Farmers who have been transferred the land by verbal agreement no longer need to worry about losing it at any time. Hence, they are willing to apply formula fertilizers on their transferred land. Similarly, farmers who have been transferred the land by written contract to obtain more land mortgages will also be willing because the formula fertilizers can not only improve the quality of their transferred land, but also increase its value as collateral. This mechanism is clearer in the area where the average land rent is relatively lower.

Originality/value

No study has yet linked the reform of land mortgages to environmentally friendly behavior. While other studies have focused on the way access to credit changes farmer investments and spending, this particular relationship has not yet been formalized, giving this study theoretical and empirical significance.
Determinants of credit demand of farmers in Lam Dong, Vietnam
Authors: Dang Huy Duc , Dam Au Hai Thi , Pham Thuyen Thi , Nguyen Tra My Thi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to explain access to formal and informal credit in agriculture of Vietnam; and to compare the effectiveness between regular econometrics and machine learning techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The multinomial logit (MNL) regression model and the random forest (RF) technique are employed for comparison purposes. To avoid heteroskedasticity, the robust covariance matrix is computed to estimate the sandwich estimator which in turn provides an asymptotic covariance matrix for biased estimators. Additionally, multicollinearity is tested among independent variables with variance inflation factors less than 3. Adequacy approach and sensitivity analysis are used to determine relevant levels of predictors. For models comparison, statistical evaluation metrics including Cohen’sκ, mean absolute error, root mean squared error and relative absolute error are employed.

Findings

The discrepancy between sensitivity analysis and adequacy approach revealed that MNL is more compatible for explaining determinants of credit participation. Due to insignificant differences in the evaluation metrics between models, the winner of choice is undetermined. Among other determinants, collateral, farmsize, income, procedure, literacy and all risk variables stand out to be critical factors when deciding borrowing schemes. While financially literate farmers tend to acquire loans from both sources, borrowing decisions against different risk sources depend on risk type and famers’ own desire to borrow.

Originality/value

Results of the MNL model are more consistent with literatures, which reinforce the role of collateral in the local credit scheme. Besides, financial literacy and farmers’ perception on different risk sources also influence how farmers’ borrowing strategies vary among sources.
Assessing the impact of knowledge management on total factor productivity
Authors: Sami Mina , El Bedawy Randa
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of knowledge management (KM) on the total factor productivity (TFP) at the organizational level in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the novel available EC 2013 data set, which includes approximately 60,000 private organizations in Egypt, the paper explores the relationship between KM and TFP. For the purpose of dealing with endogeneity, the two-stage least squares econometric model has been implemented.

Findings

The study reveals that KM impacts positively the TFP of the Egyptian organizations. Conspicuously, each 10 percent increase in KM is associated with 9.3 percent increase in TFP.

Originality/value

The role of KM in the organizations has been under-researched globally, especially in Africa. This study contributes to the current literature by assessing the impact of KM on TFP, which represents the most comprehensive measure of the firm productivity; by implementing a novel instrumental variable in order to deal with endogeneity between KM and TFP; and by generating a more nuanced measure for the knowledge intensity that is not based on any financial indicator as in the most of the previous studies. Original findings can be highlighted from the paper as it demonstrates that the impact of KM is more important than proposed by the current literature. Conspicuously, the KM does not merely impact the customer satisfaction, the quality improvement and the profit margin, but it also impacts the TFP of the organizations.
Acculturation of non-native English-speaking teachers in accounting: an ethnographic study
Authors: Abayadeera Nadana , Mihret Dessalegn Getie , Hewa Dulige Jayasinghe
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine ethnographic evidence on the acculturation of non-native English-speaking teachers in accounting (ANNESTs) in an Australian university to understand the process, strategies and outcomes of the acculturation process.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnographies of five ANNESTs representing diverse cultural backgrounds were studied. Data were collected from publicly available sources and informal discussions supplemented by semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The findings show that integration – that is, learning and participating in the Australian host culture while maintaining original cultural values – is the most popular acculturation strategy, followed by assimilation, whereby ANNESTs interact primarily with the host culture and retain loose links with their original culture. ANNESTs covered in this study fall into different stages of the acculturation process depending on their English language competency, the extent of contact with native Australians, cultural proximity and length of residence in Australia.

Practical implications

This paper concludes that challenges of acculturation confronting ANNESTs concern broader cultural issues than language proficiency alone. Institutional support directed at enhancing teaching effectiveness of ANNESTs should be devised from this perspective.

Originality/value

Given the cultural relevance of accounting systems and the influence of culture on the learning and teaching styles of ANNEST, the study illuminates that ANNEST’s acculturation strategies could facilitate or hinder the ANNEST’s speed of cultural understanding necessary to productively engage in the learning and teaching.
Ownership types, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility disclosures
Authors: Alshbili Ibrahem , Elamer Ahmed A. , Beddewela Eshani
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the extent to which corporate governance structures and ownership types are associated with the level of corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) in a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression techniques are used to estimate the effect of corporate governance structures and ownership types on CSRD using a sample of Libyan oil and gas companies between 2009 and 2013.

Findings

First, the study results suggest that although the level of CSRD in Libya is low in comparison to its western counterparts, ownership factors have a significant positive influence on CSRD. Second, the authors find board meetings to have a positive impact on CSRD. However, the authors fail to find any significant effect of board size and presence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) committees on CSRD. Overall, the results support prior theoretical evidence that pressures exerted by the government and external stakeholders have a considerable influence in promoting firm-level CSRD activities, specifically as a legitimising mechanism in fragile states.

Research limitations/implications

First, this study is based on the annual reports, and it did not examine any other reports or other mass communication mechanism that companies’ management may use to disclose CSR information. Future studies might consider disclosures in other channels, if any, such as the internet, CSR reports, etc. Additionally, this study adopts the neo-institutional theory perspective. Future studies might integrate multi-theoretical lenses to offer a richer basis for understanding and explaining CSRD determinants.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by first providing additional evidence for existing studies, which suggest that on average, better-governed companies are more liable to follow a more socially responsible agenda than poorly governed companies as a legitimising mechanism in fragile states. Also, this study overcomes a major weakness in existing Libyan studies, which have mainly used descriptive data.
Food safety culture assessment scale development and validation for use in school foodservice
Authors: Fujisaki Kahori , Akamatsu Rie
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a measurement scale to assess food safety culture for use in school foodservice.

Design/methodology/approach

The scale was originally developed by the authors based on the previous study and a paper-based survey was carried out. Based on responses from 1,408 Japanese school food handlers, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to extract a factor structure, and the reliability (Cronbach’s α value), construct and criterion-related validity of the scale were assessed.

Findings

The scale was constructed as a 20-item food safety culture assessment with the following subscales: underestimation of risk, surrounding support, communication, facilities and equipment, and commitment. The total score on this scale moderately correlated with self-reported behaviors (rs=0.427, p<0.01) and descriptive norms (rs=0.472, p<0.01), but only slightly with knowledge (rs=0.105, p<0.01). Its reliability and validity were confirmed.

Research limitations/implications

This research should be replicated in large supply centers (i.e. a central kitchen). As this study relied on self-reports, further studies could examine whether the scale could be related to objective indicators for triangulation (e.g. behavioral observation, interviews).

Practical implications

This study helps practitioners understand food safety culture dimensions in the foodservice industry and improve food safety training and performance in school foodservice.

Originality/value

The focus on food safety culture in the Japanese foodservice industry identifies cultural factors that are important for school foodservice. Additionally, the relationship between food safety culture and normative factors was also clarified.
Ownership identity and corporate donations: evidence from a natural experiment in China
Authors: Hoi Chun-Keung (Stan) , Xiong Jun , Zou Hong
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Taking advantage of the 2008 Sichuan Great Earthquake as a natural experiment, the purpose of this paper is to examine the motives and effects of corporate donations by focusing on how firm ownership identity as the first-order governance mechanism affects the motives and effects of disaster relief donations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct regressions and market event studies, and use matching to address the confounding effects of differences in firm characteristics.

Findings

The authors hypothesize that private firms that are better governed than state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to donate for value maximization. Consistent with this, the authors find that private firms are more likely to donate to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and donate more than SOEs. The effects of secondary governance variables in the donation determinant models (e.g. board independence and managerial ownership) are more consistent with the value maximization argument. While short-term market reaction to donation announcement is not significant for private firms, it is lower when SOEs make a large donation. Consistent with the hypothesis, the authors find that over the 24–36 months following the donation, private donors realize a higher abnormal stock return.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the debate over the merits/costs of corporate donations and helps better understand how SOEs and private firms (particularly family-owned firms) differ in their governance and financial decision-making.

Practical implications

Both managers from private firms and SOEs can use the findings of this study to better guide their donation and other philanthropic decisions.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine both the motives and effects of corporate donations by both private and SOEs taking advantage of the 2008 Sichuan, thereby significantly extending prior related studies.
Antecedents and outcomes associated with a sense of place toward the organization of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand
Authors: Phungsoonthorn Tipnuch , Charoensukmongkol Peerayuth
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the antecedents and outcomes associated with a sense of place (SOP) on the part of Myanmar migrant workers working in Thailand toward their place of work. The transformational leadership of top management and diversity climate were selected as the antecedent variables, whereas turnover intention was selected as the outcome variable. Belongingness theory and social identity theory were used as the theoretical foundation to support the roles of these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from Myanmar migrant workers working at two factories in Thailand (n=736). Partial least squares regression was used for the data analysis.

Findings

The results support a negative linkage between SOP and turnover intention. The positive contribution of transformational leadership of top management and diversity climate to SOP was also supported. Moreover, diversity climate was found to partially mediate the positive contribution of transformational leadership of top management to SOP. Finally, the analysis found that the linkage between diversity climate and SOP was positively moderated by the length of stay of the Myanmar migrant workers in the organization.

Originality/value

This study provides new evidence showing that SOP also matters for foreign migrant workers in terms of developing emotional attachment to the workplace outside their home country and that these workers were less likely to leave the workplace although they were a culturally minority group in the organization. This research also provides new evidence concerning the role of the transformational leadership of top management and workplace climate, which were antecedents of an SOP toward the organization.
Care and gendered work in reception centers in Finland
Authors: Jyrkinen Marjut , Väkiparta Maria , Lämsä Anna-Maija
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper focuses on how gendered processes of working life are (re)constructed and are also challenged discursively in paid and volunteer care and work in reception centers. The purpose of this paper is to show how caring work with asylum seekers can both enhance the traditional gender order and challenge it through enabling men to have opportunities to care.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were produced through qualitative interviews among paid workers and volunteers in reception centers, and analyzed through a discourse analysis approach.

Findings

Three discourses of care and work were identified: a discourse on solidarity and care; a discourse on control and order; and a discourse on caring men. The findings show that traditional attitudes toward gender are easily discerned in other cultures, but not as easily recognized in the everyday processes near at hand. Gender order is retained through traditional roles, which also reflects conventional attitudes in a society often seen as a model country for equality. However, change is possible, and one core issue is the need to involve men in care work and caring in general.

Social implications

The findings can be applicable to the deconstruction of traditional gender order in working life; to the disclosure of gendered xenophobia in work with asylum seekers, in particular through dialogue with “Others”; and to the enabling of care by men.

Originality/value

Little previous research has been done on care in reception centers and care as a gendered activity with value. In the future many countries are likely to encounter increases in asylum seekers, and therefore, intersections of gender and ethnicity are of importance in societies as regards migration, work and care.
Requirements for private communications over public spheres
Authors: Vemou Konstantina , Karyda Maria
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In the Web 2.0 era, users massively communicate through social networking services (SNS), often under false expectations that their communications and personal data are private. This paper aims to analyze privacy requirements of personal communications over a public medium.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper systematically analyzes SNS services as communication models and considers privacy as an attribute of users’ communication. A privacy threat analysis for each communication model is performed, based on misuse scenarios, to elicit privacy requirements per communication type.

Findings

This paper identifies all communication attributes and privacy threats and provides a comprehensive list of privacy requirements concerning all stakeholders: platform providers, users and third parties.

Originality/value

Elicitation of privacy requirements focuses on the protection of both the communication’s message and metadata and takes into account the public–private character of the medium (SNS platform). The paper proposes a model of SNS functionality as communication patterns, along with a method to analyze privacy threats. Moreover, a comprehensive set of privacy requirements for SNS designers, third parties and users involved in SNS is identified, including voluntary sharing of personal data, the role of the SNS platforms and the various types of communications instantiating in SNS.
Searching for the renaissance bureaucrat
Authors: Kruyen Peter M. , Keulemans Shelena , Borst Rick T. , Helderman Jan-Kees
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Since the early 1980s, western governments are assumed to have been either moving toward post-bureaucratic models or transforming into so-called neo-Weberian bureaucracies. As different public-sector (reform) models imply different ideal typical personality traits for civil servants, the purpose of this paper is to ask the question to what extent personality requirements that governments demand from their employees have evolved over time in line with these models.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed the use of big-five traits in a sample of 21,003 job advertisements for local government jobs published between 1980 and 2017, applying tools for computer-assisted text analysis.

Findings

Using multilevel regression analyses, the authors conclude that, over time, there is a significant increase in the use of personality descriptors related to all big-five factors.

Research limitations/implications

The authors postulate that governments nowadays are actively looking for the “renaissance bureaucrat” in line with the neo-Weberian bureaucracy paradigm. The authors end with a discussion of both positive and negative consequences of this development.

Originality/value

First, the authors explicitly link personality, public administration, and public management using the Abridged Big-Five-Dimensional Circumflex model of personality. Second, by linking observed trends in civil servant personality requirements to larger theories of public-sector reform models, the authors narrow the gap between public administration theories and practice. Third, the software tools that the authors use to digitalize and analyze a large number of documents (the job ads) are new to the discipline of public administration. The research can therefore serve as a guideline for scholars who want to use software tools to study large amounts of unstructured, qualitative data.
How do consumers react to new product brands?
Authors: Lim Weng Marc , Teh Pei-Lee , Ahmed Pervaiz K.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Target markets of new product brands (niche customers) differ from those of existing product brands (mainstream customers) using conventional new product brand development strategy. The purpose of this paper is to contend that acculturation in the form of cultural pluralism exists in the marketplace and substantiates that contention through an investigation of consumer behavior outcomes resulting from the development of new product brands that target both mainstream and niche consumers through product brand crossover, an alternative product brand development strategy that leverages on cultural pluralism.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects experiment was conducted to test whether consumers differ in their behavioral intentions toward existing and new product brands developed through product brand crossover. The experiments include marketing situations of matching and mismatching product brands and marketing communications in the form of marketing messages and advertising images.

Findings

The results show that consumers – in general and in segmented groups – do not differ in behavioral intentions toward existing and new product brands as a result of product brand crossover. Matching and mismatching product brands and marketing communications in the form of marketing messages and advertising images do not produce significant effects on behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This paper offers fresh evidence showing that acculturation in the form of cultural pluralism exists in the marketplace and introduces a new concept in the form of product brand crossover that acknowledges and leverages on cultural pluralism as an alternative approach for new product brand development.
Impact of workplace ostracism on unethical pro-organizational behaviors
Authors: Zhang Suchuan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of workplace ostracism on unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB), by focusing on the moderating role of value alignment of WPS.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical model was tested using data collected from 434 employees in different companies from Shanxi provinces in China. Analysis of lagged data is used to empirically test the relationship between workplace ostracism and UPB.

Findings

The study found that ostracized individuals are more likely to engage in UPB when they embrace high value alignment with the organization.

Originality/value

This study examines the moderating effect of WPS, providing boundary condition for the relationship between workplace ostracism and UPB. So far, most of the empirical work has identified moderators that only buffer the relationship between ostracism and negative outcomes, and the result for moderators that actually determine pro-social responses has not yet to be discovered.
Using images in focus groups with older carers
Authors: Greenwood Nan , Pound Carole
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how providing a wide variety of visual images facilitated discussions amongst older informal carers in focus groups.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 72 older (aged 70+ years) informal carers took part in nine focus groups discussing their experiences as older carers. Participants were provided with a wide selection of different, freely available printed images which included abstract and humorous images and countryside scenes.

Findings

These older carers appeared to enjoy using these pictures to facilitate introducing themselves and to describe their diverse caring experiences. Sharing often challenging experiences using the images and visual metaphors appeared to support the group to discuss difficult, sensitive issues in often light-hearted ways.

Research limitations/implications

This approach appeared to enhance data collection with these older participants in an enjoyable way by helping them focus on the topic at hand whilst facilitating them to give succinct descriptions of their experiences. However, further research is needed in order to be confident of the transferability of these findings to other older participant groups discussing different topics. Only informal carers were included and there were no direct comparisons with groups without images.

Practical implications

Using commonly available visual images in focus groups with older carers appeared to be an effective means of encouraging participant discussions and engagement.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to describe how using visual images facilitated focus group discussions with older informal carers. It therefore adds to the literature.
Distribution of diffuse plexiform neurofibroma on the body surface in patients with neurofibromatosis 1
Authors: Ehara Yuko , Koga Monji , Imafuku Shinichi , Yamamoto Osamu , Yoshida Yuichi
Published: December 2019

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic disease characterized by cutaneous, neurological and osseous abnormalities. Approximately 20% of patients develop plexiform neurofibroma (PN), resulting in impaired quality of life. To evaluate distribution of diffuse PN on the body surface, a retrospective study was conducted for 354 patients with NF1 from 2007 to 2018 in Japan. We investigated a total of 40 patients with clinically apparent superficial diffuse PN. In the cases evaluated, 57.4% of the diffuse PN were located on the trunk, 19.2% the head and neck, 12.8% the lower limbs and 10.6% the upper limbs. Remarkably, 75.0% of the diffuse PN were located on the dorsal side. The frequency was significantly higher on the trunk than on the head and neck (P = 0.026). Our findings provide useful information for giving attention to the high possibility of diffuse PN on the dorsal side before progression in childhood and for future treatment in NF1.
Natural disturbances can produce misleading bioassessment results: Identifying metrics to detect anthropogenic impacts in intermittent rivers
Authors: Soria Maria , Gutiérrez‐Cánovas Cayetano , Bonada Núria , Acosta Raúl , Rodríguez‐Lozano Pablo , Fortuño Pau , Burgazzi Gemma , Vinyoles Dolors , Gallart Francesc , Latron Jérôme , Llorens Pilar , Prat Narcís , Cid Núria
Published: December 2019

Ecosystems experience natural disturbances and anthropogenic impacts that affect biological communities and ecological processes. When natural disturbance modifies anthropogenic impacts, current widely used bioassessment metrics can prevent accurate assessment of biological quality.

Our aim was to assess the ability of biomonitoring metrics to detect anthropogenic impacts at both perennial and intermittent sites, and in the latter including both flowing and disconnected pool aquatic phases. Specifically, aquatic macroinvertebrates from 20 rivers were sampled along gradients of natural flow intermittence (natural disturbance) and anthropogenic impacts to investigate their combined effects on widely used river biomonitoring metrics (i.e. taxonomic richness and standard biological indices) and novel functional metrics, including functional redundancy (i.e. the number of taxa contributing similarly to an ecosystem function, here a trophic function) and response diversity (i.e. how functionally similar taxa respond to natural disturbance and anthropogenic impacts).

Only the widely used IBMWP index (Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party) was able to detect anthropogenic impacts in intermittent rivers when used during flowing phases. Several functional metrics also detected anthropogenic impacts regardless of flow intermittence. Besides, functional redundancy of the entire community remained effective even in disconnected pools.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that natural flow intermittence can confound river bioassessment, and that a set of new functional metrics could be used as effective alternatives to standard metrics in naturally disturbed intermittent rivers. Our findings suggest that water managers should incorporate alternative functional metrics in the routine biomonitoring of naturally disturbed rivers.
Impacts of third‐party payment in an open economy
Authors: Chen Chiou‐Wen
Published: December 2019

Although the third‐party payment system is a matter of heated debate among academics and policymakers, and empirical studies of it are commonplace, this paper is believed to be the first to theoretically model its macroeconomic impact on a small open economy. The outcomes indicate that increases in the use of third‐party payments will have a positive effect on national income in such an economy, but an ambiguous effect on domestic interest rates if the Marshall‐Lerner condition holds. However, if the Marshall‐Lerner condition does not hold, then increases in third‐party payments could lead to higher domestic interest rates in an economy of this type. Additionally, third‐party payments will ambiguous effects on such an economy's foreign‐exchange rate.
Surgical treatment of lung cancer with adjacent lobe invasion in relation to fissure integrity
Authors: Andreetti Claudio , Poggi Camilla , Ibrahim Mohsen , D'Andrilli Antonio , Maurizi Giulio , Tiracorrendo Matteo , Peritore Valentina , Rendina Erino Angelo , Venuta Federico , Anile Marco , Pagini Andreina , Natale Giovanni , Santini Mario , Fiorelli Alfonso
Published: December 2019

Background

Tumor with adjacent lobe invasion (T‐ALI) is an uncommon condition. Controversy still exists regarding the optimal resection of adjacent lobe invasion, and the prognostic value in relation to fissure integrity at the tumor invasion point. The aims of this paper were to evaluate the prognosis of T‐ALI with regard to fissure integrity, and type of resection.

Methods

This was a retrospective multicenter study which included all consecutive patients with T‐ALI undergoing surgical treatment. Based on radiological, intraoperative and histological findings, T‐ALI patients were differentiated into two groups based on whether the fissure was complete (T‐ALI‐A group) or incomplete (T‐ALI‐D Group) at the level of tumor invasion point. Clinico‐pathological features and survival of two study groups were analyzed and compared.

Results

Study population included 135 patients, of these 98 (72%) were included into T‐ALI‐A group, and 37 (38%) into T‐ALI‐D Group. T‐ALI‐D patients had better overall survival than T‐ALI‐A patients (63.9 ± 7.0 vs. 48.9 ± 3.9; respectively, P = 0.01) who presented with a higher incidence of lymph node involvement (35% vs. 4%; P = 0.004), and recurrence rate (43% vs. 16%; P = 0.01). At multivariable analysis, T‐ALI‐D (P = 0.01), pN0 stage (P = 0.0002), and pT≤5 cm (P = 0.0001) were favorable survival prognostic factors.

Conclusions

T‐ALI‐D presented a better prognosis than T‐ALI‐A while extent of resection had no effect on survival. Thus, in patients with small T‐ALI‐D and without lymph node involvement, sublobar resection of adjacent lobe rather than lobectomy could be indicated.

Key points

The extent of resection of adjacent lobe had no effect on survival while T‐ALI‐D, pN0 stage, and pT≤5 cm were significant prognostic factors.

In patients with small T‐ALI‐D and without lymph node involvement, sublobar resection of adjacent lobe could be indicated as an alternative to lobectomy.
Cost‐effectiveness and cost–utility analysis of a work‐place smoking cessation intervention with and without financial incentives
Authors: van den Brand Floor A. , Nagelhout Gera E. , Winkens Bjorn , Chavannes Niels H. , van Schayck Onno C. P. , Evers Silvia M. A. A.
Published: December 2019

Aims

To perform an economic evaluation of a work‐place smoking cessation group training programme with incentives compared with a training programme without incentives.

Design

A trial‐based cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost–utility analysis (CUA) from a societal perspective and an employer's perspective.

Setting

Sixty‐one companies in the Netherlands.

Participants

A total of 604 tobacco‐smoking employees.

Intervention and comparator

A 7‐week work‐place smoking cessation group training programme. The intervention group earned gift vouchers of €350 for 12 months’ continuous abstinence. The comparator group received no incentives.

Measurements

Online questionnaires were administered to assess quality of life (EQ‐5D‐5 L) and resource use during the 14‐month follow‐up period (2‐month training period plus 12‐month abstinence period). For the CEA the primary outcome measure was carbon monoxide (CO)‐validated continuous abstinence; for the CUA the primary outcome was quality‐adjusted life years (QALY). Bootstrapping and sensitivity analyses were performed to account for uncertainty. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) tables were used to determine cost‐effectiveness from a life‐time perspective.

Findings

Of the participants in the intervention group, 41.1% had quit smoking compared with 26.4% in the control group. From a societal perspective with a 14‐month follow‐up period, the ICER per quitter for an intervention with financial incentives compared with no incentives was €11 546. From an employer's perspective, the ICER was €5686. There was no significant difference in QALYs between the intervention and control group within the 14‐month follow‐up period. The intervention was dominated by the comparator in the primary analysis at a threshold of €20 000 per QALY. In the sensitivity analysis, these results were uncertain. A life‐time perspective showed an ICER of €1249 (95% confidence interval = €850–2387) per QALY.

Conclusions

Financial incentives may be cost‐effective in increasing quitting smoking, particularly from a life‐time perspective.
Editorial: rapid disease progression in hepatitis delta—can we turn the tide?
Authors: Sonneveld Milan J. , de Knegt Robert J.
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Palom et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15521 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15558.
Editorial: blood biomarkers for advanced liver fibrosis in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease—not a simple choice?
Authors: Neil Guha Indra , Patel Keyur
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Guillaume et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15529.
Letter: a 5‐year long‐term follow‐up study after DAA treatment confirms a reduced HCC risk in a central European cohort of HCV patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Ebel Friederike , Deterding Katja , Port Kerstin , Schlevogt Bernhard , Manns Michael P. , Maasoumy Benjamin , Cornberg Markus , Wedemeyer Heiner
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Mecci et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15296.
Editorial: rapid assessment of health‐related quality of life in primary biliary cholangitis—no excuse not to ask. Authors' reply
Authors: Alrubaiy Laith , Mells George , Flack Steven , Bosomworth Helen , Hutchings Hayley , Williams John , Jones David
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Alrubaiy et al and and Gulamhusein and Jackson papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15554 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15588.
Dynamic machine learning‐based heuristic energy optimization approach on multicore architecture
Authors: Sundaresan Yokesh B. , Saleem Durai M. A.
Published: December 2019

In the present era, energy is progressively turning into the major limitation in designing multicore chips. However, power and performance are the primary segments of energy, which are contrarily correlated in multicore architectures. This research primarily focused on optimizing energy level of multicore chips using parallel workloads by utilizing either power or execution advancement based on machine learning computation on dynamic programming. To do as such, the novel dynamic machine learning‐based heuristic energy optimization (DML‐HEO) algorithm has been designed and developed in this research on application‐specific controllers to optimize energy‐level on multicore architecture. Here DML‐HEO is implemented on the controller to maximize the execution inside a fixed power spending plan or to limit the expended capacity to accomplish a similar pattern execution. The controller is additionally scalable as it does not bring about critical overhead due to the increase in quantity of cores. The strategy has been assessed utilizing controllers on a full‐framework test system at lab‐scale analysis. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed DML‐HEO system shows improving performance than the traditional system.
Felbamate for infantile spasms syndrome resistant to first‐line treatments
Authors: Dozières‐Puyravel Blandine , Nasser Hala , Bellavoine Vanina , Ilea Adina , Delanoe Catherine , Auvin Stéphane
Published: December 2019

Aim

To analyse the effects of felbamate in refractory infantile spasms/West syndrome.

Method

We conducted a 10‐year retrospective study of infants (including all infants younger than 18mo) treated with felbamate for electroencephalography‐recorded epileptic spasms persisting after first‐line treatment.

Results

In total, 29 infants (17 males, 12 females) were included in the study. Felbamate was initiated at a mean age of 13.8 months (range 4.5–66mo) after sequential administration or combination of vigabatrin and oral steroids; a ketogenic diet was implemented in 23 infants. Eight infants became spasm‐free at a mean dose of 34.6mg/kg/day felbamate (range 26–45mg/kg/day). Mean duration of felbamate use was 19 months (range 1–67mo) for the 19 infants whose treatment was terminated. No severe side effects were observed. Reversible neutropenia led to withdrawal of felbamate in six patients. One spasm‐free patient demonstrated recurrence when felbamate was withdrawn.

Interpretation

N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors with felbamate controlled epileptic spasms in eight infants resistant to first‐line treatment should be targeted.
Echocardiography reporting of pulmonary hypertension and subsequent referral to a specialty clinic
Authors: Choi Eunjung , Brown Randolph E. , Sullivan Malachy J. , Andrus Bruce W.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Echocardiography is commonly performed in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The report summary often serves to guide the future evaluation of these patients. Our aim was to explore the relationship between the echocardiography reports of patients with PH and referral to a PH specialty clinic.

Methods

A random sample of 500 echocardiographic reports of patients with an estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) greater than 40 mm Hg between 2006 and 2014 was selected from the institutional database of a single academic center. Referral to the PH clinic was determined by evaluating the electronic medical record. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify characteristics associated with referral.

Results

Pulmonary hypertension was mentioned in 31% of the report summaries, and only 4.6% were referred to the PH clinic. Variables associated with referral were younger age, indication for echocardiography, higher right atrial and ventricular (RV) systolic pressures, RV dilatation, mention of PH in the summary, and higher left ventricular ejection fraction. Mention of PH in the summary was the variable most strongly associated with referral (adjusted odds ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.5–14.2).

Conclusion

Pulmonary hypertension was infrequently mentioned in the summary of echocardiography reports of patients with RVSP >40 mm Hg. Referral to the PH clinic was rare but occurred more often following the mention of PH in the summary. Explicit mention of the presence of PH in the echocardiography report summary may facilitate referral to a specialty clinic and allow more comprehensive evaluation of PH.
Banking business models and risk: Findings from the ECB's comprehensive assessment
Authors: Paladino Giovanna , Rotondi Zeno
Published: December 2019

We use the results of the ECB's comprehensive assessment to evaluate the importance of the bank business model on risk assessment and the persuasive effectiveness of different supervisory styles on banks’ recapitalization. Our analysis reveals inconsistencies in the information content provided by the various regulatory measures used for assessing bank stability. Moreover, opposite to CET1 ratio, the leverage ratio provides assessments on business models more consistent with a market‐based measure of bank risk exposure and Z‐SCORE. Accounting for several control variables both at the bank and country level, we also find evidence that the effectiveness of the supervisory action depends on the specific type of supervisory model. In particular, countries adopting the hybrid model seem more effective in persuading banks to recapitalize preventively. Differently, countries adopting the integrated and the sectorial model seem less effective in their requests.
Values of weedy regrowth for rainforest restoration
Authors: Catterall Carla P.
Published: December 2019

Can weedy regrowth be sometimes useful in restoration? Former pastures, created historically by deforestation and other interventions but then retired from agricultural use, now provide a major opportunity for forest restoration. Globally, forest has begun to regenerate spontaneously at large scales on many such retired pasture lands. Additionally, non‐native species are increasingly often the first trees and shrubs to establish in this situation. Here, I consider the ecological processes that enable some of these species to be useful in restoring diverse rainforest communities of flora and fauna to disused pasture and other agricultural lands; in terms of both the generalised ecological mechanisms involved and specific cases in rainforest landscapes of eastern Australia. Ecological research has shown that regrowth trajectories which begin with dominance by non‐native trees and shrubs may of themselves sometimes transition over several decades towards dominance by native rainforest species, and that these novel ecosystems provide significant habitat for native fauna, as well as a range of ecosystem services. Their destruction in the name of weed control is likely to have an immediate adverse ecological impact. Alternatively, they could be managed and harnessed as a useful part of the practitioners' toolkit for rainforest restoration.
Staring into the abyss: A crisis of the rule of law in the EU
Authors: Smith Melanie
Published: December 2019

Acceptance of the meaning, operation and enforcement of the rule of law in the EU by its Member States is critical to the Union's legitimacy. Any perceived or real crisis in the rule of law thus merits careful consideration. This article focuses on how a crisis in the rule of law occurred within the EU and how the intended ambiguity of the rule of law has entrenched this crisis. This article argues that the primary cause of the crisis has been the EU's development of a unique ideation of the rule of law ‐ as a constitutional norm, policy instrument and value ‐ that 'hollowed out' the rule of law from a constitutional principle to an expedient policy tool. The EU institutions have entrenched the crisis in the rule of law and then tried to manage the chasm between what it deems as respect for the rule of law and certain Member States' conduct.
Vulnerability as a normative argument for accommodating “justice” within the AFSJ
Authors: Ippolito Francesca
Published: December 2019

Vulnerability is a concept that stems from ethics and legal theory. It has progressively gained momentum in international human rights law, in particular in the European contextof the European Court of Human Rights adjudications. Also, the European Union is sensitive to it.By the introduction of competences in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ) we are witnessing a progressive “vulnerabilisation” of EU law. This article intends in the first place to outline such a problematic notion and then to highlight the normative effects of vulnerability. In particular, this article will put forward the argument that such notion could serve to revamp the profile of “justice” of the AFSJ, which has been neglected so far, calling for the development of a more sophisticated ethics of State duties.
Skin lesion segmentation and classification: A unified framework of deep neural network features fusion and selection
Authors: Khan Muhammad Attique , Sharif Muhammad Imran , Raza Mudassar , Anjum Almas , Saba Tanzila , Shad Shafqat Ali
Published: December 2019

Automated skin lesion diagnosis from dermoscopic images is a difficult process due to several notable problems such as artefacts (hairs), irregularity, lesion shape, and irrelevant features extraction. These problems make the segmentation and classification process difficult. In this research, we proposed an optimized colour feature (OCF) of lesion segmentation and deep convolutional neural network (DCNN)‐based skin lesion classification. A hybrid technique is proposed to remove the artefacts and improve the lesion contrast. Then, colour segmentation technique is presented known as OCFs. The OCF approach is further improved by an existing saliency approach, which is fused by a novel pixel‐based method. A DCNN‐9 model is implemented to extract deep features and fused with OCFs by a novel parallel fusion approach. After this, a normal distribution‐based high‐ranking feature selection technique is utilized to select the most robust features for classification. The suggested method is evaluated on ISBI series (2016, 2017, and 2018) datasets. The experiments are performed in two steps and achieved average segmentation accuracy of more than 90% on selected datasets. Moreover, the achieve classification accuracy of 92.1%, 96.5%, and 85.1%, respectively, on all three datasets shows that the presented method has remarkable performance.