bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does access to credit improve household welfare? Evidence from Ethiopia using endogenous regime switching regression
Authors: Bocher Temesgen Fitamo , Alemu Bamlaku Alamirew , Kelbore Zerihun Getachew
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how credit access affects the welfare of households and sheds light on how household characteristics influence the decision to take credit and the efficiency in credit use.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data from the fourth round of the Ethiopian Rural Household Survey conducted in 2009, and examines factors that determine the decision to take credit and the effect of such decision on household welfare. The household welfare variable is measured by the food security indicator and total food expenditure. The study employs endogenous Regime Switching model to account for endogeneity in access to credit and self-selection bias in the decision to participate in credit.

Findings

The result from the kernel distribution shows households with access to credit have more consumption expenditure than those without access to credit. The ordinary least square regression shows that access to credit increases total consumption by 12 percent without considering self-selection bias. Participation in non-farm activity increases the demand for credit by 17 percent. Land holding, household size, and participation in saving associations increase the probability of getting credit by 5, 11, and 20 percent, respectively. Access to credit appears to have a positive impact on food security in both actual and counterfactual cases for the current credit receivers.

Originality/value

This study provides a thorough analysis of the impacts of access to credit on household welfare in Ethiopia. The study contributes to the debate on the link between access to credit and household welfare and provides valuable input for policy makers.
Predicting user continuance intention towards M-pesa in Kenya
Authors: Osah Olam , Kyobe Michael
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate established information systems theories (post-acceptance model (PAM) and task-technology fit (TTF)) to model and test determinants of user continuance intention within Kenya toward a proliferated mobile money service called M-pesa.

Design/methodology/approach

A positivist method informed the design of the study. A survey instrument was developed and administered amongst M-pesa users in Kenya, yielding 618 responses. Selection of users followed a systematic sampling technique. Afterwards, structural equation modelling (SEM)-partial least squares (“SEM-PLS”) was used to examine the measurement and structural model of the study.

Findings

The results revealed an unexpected finding that TTF’s utilization has a stronger path coefficient than PAM’s satisfaction in predicting user continuance intention toward M-pesa. This is contrary to most extant literature reports that satisfaction is the dominant predictor of usage continuance. Also, unexpected, the results revealed a lack of significant influence between the PAM’s post-usage usefulness (PUU) and satisfaction. Again, the relationship between PUU and satisfaction in most extant studies is reported as significant.

Originality/value

The study suggests that saliency order of determinants of user continuance intention could differ within the developing world and developed world.
International acquisitions by Polish MNEs. Value creation or destruction?
Authors: Nowiński Witold
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the performance implications of cross-border acquisitions by Polish multinationals. Additionally, the study considers specific factors affecting acquisition performance, such as acquirer’s prior cross-border acquisition experience and the type of market (advanced versus emerging) in which the target is located.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a sample of 104 cross-border acquisition events in which a Polish public company, quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange acted as an acquiring party. The event study method was applied to determine the impact of acquisition announcements on the share price of the acquiring companies for 3-, 4- and 5-day event windows. The proposed hypotheses were additionally verified through hierarchical regression.

Findings

The research shows that a typical cross-border acquisition carried out by a Polish multinational ends in creating value. While the impact of prior cross-border acquisition experience is only significant for the shortest event window, the choice of targets from emerging markets significantly improves acquisition outcomes for all of the event windows examined.

Originality/value

The study is the first project on such a scale to focus on cross-border acquisitions by multinationals from Central and Eastern Europe to have used event study methodology. It has shown that acquirers from mid-range emerging markets, such as Poland, tend to benefit more from leveraging their ability to function in underdeveloped and dynamic institutional settings if they acquire companies operating in other emerging markets rather than those based in more developed economies.
Sharing information now vs later
Authors: Wu Laurie , Shen Han , Li Mimi , Deng Qian (Claire)
Published: February 2017

Purpose

This study aims to address a novel information sharing phenomenon among many hospitality consumers, that is, sharing information during, rather than weeks after, a hospitality consumption experience. Specifically, this study tests if including a temporal contiguity cue in a review can significantly enhance the purchase intention of other consumers toward the reviewed business.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (personal sense of power) × 2 (temporal contiguity cue: manipulated to be absent vs present) quasi-experiment was conducted in this research. Floodlight analysis with the Johnson–Neyman technique was used to test the interaction effect. Hayes’ PROCESS procedure was used to test the mediation effects.

Findings

The study found that, for powerless consumers, temporal contiguity cue can effectively enhance the perceived trustworthiness of the review and purchase intention toward the reviewed business. Conversely, for powerful consumers, temporal contiguity cue can significantly reduce the perceived trustworthiness of the review and purchase intention toward the business. Mediation test further revealed evidence for the underlying psychological mechanism for these effects.

Originality/value

Revealing the mixed effects of a novel factor, temporal contiguity cue, on consumer responses toward online hospitality reviews, the current research contributes to the expanding stream of theoretical and managerial knowledge on online review management in social media platforms.
Consumers’ impulsive buying behavior of restaurant products in social commerce
Authors: Chung Namho , Song Hyo Geun , Lee Hyunae
Published: February 2017

Purpose

First, this paper aims to investigate the impact of impulsiveness on two types of shopping value (e.g. utilitarian and hedonic value) and the urge to buy restaurant products and services impulsively in social commerce environments. Second, the study assesses the impact of situational factors (e.g. scarcity and serendipity) on individuals’ shopping values.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 332 participants. By using PLS-graph 3.0, structural equation modeling was conducted. Furthermore, a hierarchical regression model was conducted for testing the mediating and moderating effects.

Findings

The results indicate that impulsiveness is a strong predictor for two types of shopping value (hedonic and utilitarian) and the urge to buy impulsively. While the hedonic shopping value was found to have a significant influence on the urge to buy impulsively, utilitarian value was not. Scarcity was moderator in the relationships between impulsiveness and both types of shopping value, whereas serendipity was found to moderate only the relationship between impulsiveness and the utilitarian shopping value.

Practical implications

The findings show that the marketing managers and application developers of social commerce should place their focus on scarcity and serendipity to stimulate consumers in having a hedonic shopping value so to have an urge to buy impulsively.

Originality/value

First, although most previous studies focused on only rational or planned consumption, this study focused on irrational and unplanned consumption as well. Second, the authors assessed the role of situational factors (scarcity and serendipity) occurring in social commerce and asserted that these factors moderate the relationship between consumers’ shopping values and their urge to buy impulsively.
The auditor as consigliere in family firm
Authors: Collin Sven-Olof Yrjö , Ahlberg Jenny , Berg Karin , Broberg Pernilla , Karlsson Amelie
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a concept of auditor as consigliere in family firms, that captures additional functions to monitoring, those of advice, mediating, and conveying.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept is tested through a survey conducted on 309 Swedish auditors.

Findings

The data indicate that the consigliere role is generally not emphasized, indicating that auditors primarily perform the monitoring role of the audit. However, the authors do find indications of the auditor performing the consigliere role, through performing the advisory and mediating functions and, to a smaller degree, the conveying function.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is limited in response rate and in separating governance situations from consigliere functions.

Practical implications

With reservation for professional independence, the auditor as consigliere could be part of the governance of the family firm, but should be trained for this activity.

Social implications

Regulators should pay attention to the consigliere role when, for example, stipulating compulsory rotation of auditors.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the auditor is more than a monitor in family firms. The consigliere role, even if not at all dominating, has to be considered, at least in family firms.
An investigation of the impact of financial literacy, risk attitude, and saving motives on the attenuation of mutual fund investors’ disposition bias
Authors: Jonsson Sara , Söderberg Inga-Lill , Wilhelmsson Mats
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of financial literacy, risk attitude, and saving motives on the attenuation of mutual fund investors’ disposition bias. Specifically, the authors focus on individual characteristics explaining the investors’ propensity to sell shares in a poorly performing mutual fund.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on survey data collected from 1,564 Swedish households in 2013. The authors test the hypotheses considering three different portfolio compositions and portfolio performances. Each composition corresponds to a dependent variable and a separate model which are estimated using ordinal logistic regression.

Findings

The authors find that different forms of financial literacy affect attenuation of the disposition effect. Specifically, the authors find that knowledge about mutual funds and knowledge about current market conditions affect the attenuation of the disposition effect, whereas the authors find no support for the effect of “technical financial knowledge” (e.g. the ability to calculate compound interest rates). The authors also find no support for the effects of risk attitude and saving motives on the attenuation of the disposition bias.

Originality/value

The findings suggest a need for a more fine-grained conceptualization of the financial literacy concept and its effect on investors’ disposition bias. Since an important implication of the findings is that financial literacy could potentially help people overcome behavioral bias, the study provides insights for policymakers as well as into the discussion on the design of consumer education programs.
Intellectual structure of research in business ethics
Authors: Xiao Huilin , Wang Yanling , Li Weifeng , Ma Zhenzhong
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The study aims to map the intellectual structure of business ethics studies by analyzing 17,246 citations of 225 papers published inBusiness Ethics Quarterly(BEQ) in the year between 2005 and 2014. Specifically, the purpose of the study is to describe the current state ofBEQ, identify the most influential journals and works, identify the key themes of business ethics studies during 2005-2014 and, at the same time, report the changes in themes by making a comparison between two time periods – 2005-2009 and 2010-2014.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the study presents the information of the authors, institutions and countries that contribute toBEQwith a statistical analysis. Second, the study identifies the most cited journals and works inBEQduring 2005-2014 with a citation analysis. Third, the study identifies the key research themes in business ethics studies with a co-citation analysis. With the help of factor and social network analysis (NA), the study groups the research themes and maps their links.

Findings

First, the statistical results show that many well-known researchers from famous US institutions publishing inBEQ. Second, the citation analysis results show that quite a few journals become mature gradually in business ethics domain. Besides, most of the influential works are normative and theoretical. Third, the co-citation results indicate that “stakeholder management” and “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) are two main themes in business ethics studies in the past decade. Specifically, “stakeholder management” attracts the most research interests in both two sub-time periods. In addition, compared with the pure studies on CSR during 2005-2009, increasing researchers are keen on the theme of “political CSR under globalization” in the second five years. Meanwhile, other focus like “society, state and business ethics” earns a certain degree of attention in the time window 2005-2009. And “accountability in MNCs” and “political philosophy” are the new concerns in the year between 2010 and 2014.

Originality/value

The study confirmsBEQ’s leadership role in business ethics domain. And, it further proves that business ethics has evolved as an independent discipline. It also helps the researchers to have a concise knowledge of the main contents and key points of business ethics research. Methodologically, co-citation analysis combined with factor and NA provides clear results and visualized figures which can be understood easily by the researchers and practitioners.
On the association between perceived overqualification and adaptive behavior
Authors: Wu Chia-Huei , Tian Amy Wei , Luksyte Aleksandra , Spitzmueller Christiane
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an autonomous motivation perspective to explore the relationship between perceived overqualification and adaptive work behavior and examine job autonomy as a factor that may moderate the association.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested in two culturally, demographically, and functionally diverse samples: sample 1 was based on North American community college employees (n=215); sample 2 was based on full-time workers, employed in a Chinese state-owned enterprise specializing in shipping (n=148).

Findings

In study 1, perceived overqualification was negatively related to self-rated adaptive behavior. A follow-up study 2 extended these findings by demonstrating that perceived overqualification was negatively related to supervisor-rated adaptive work behavior when job autonomy was low, rather than high.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research offer an autonomous motivation perspective to explain why perceived overqualification relates to adaptive behavior and suggests a job design approach to encourage adaptive behaviors of people who feel overqualified – a sizable segment of the current workforce.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to explore adaptive behavior of workers who feel overqualified – an outcome that has not been examined in this domain. The findings further point out what can be done to encourage adaptive behaviors among overqualified employees.
The secret to client-supplier innovation cooperation that lasts
Authors: Servajean-Hilst Romaric
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide some keys to understand and manage the dynamic of client-supplier innovation cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

The results presented in this paper are based on a mixed methods approach that combines interviews with practitioners, quantitative inquiry on 160 client-supplier innovation cooperations and 18-month ethnography within an Innovation-Purchasing department.

Findings

At the first stage of a relationship, when trust and familiarity are low, unstructured organization has to be avoided and elaborated partnership privileged. Later in a relationship, the power balance increases, so do trust and familiarity. In case of a power balance in large favor of the client, elaborated partnership presents the best performance in the first phases of the innovation project, and the unstructured organization allows better performance in the phases around market launch. If the power balance is favorable to the supplier, the exclusive partnership organization gives the best results for the relationship. Later, when trust and familiarity attain the highest levels, and when the power is balanced within the couple, elaborated partnership is best suited from design to industrialization phases. In upstream phases, project-type organizations can be substituted to exclusive partnership: both allow the relationship to reach the highest scores.

Originality/value

The paper offers levers for managing innovation cooperation at macro and micro levels, taking into account the impact of the client-supplier relationship.
Resident consultant obstetrician presence on the labour ward versus other models of consultant cover: a systematic review of intrapartum outcomes
Authors: Henderson J , Kurinczuk JJ , Knight M
Published: February 2017

Background

Several key policy documents have advocated 24‐hour consultant obstetrician presence on the labour ward as a means of improving the safety of birth. However, it is unclear what published evidence exists comparing the outcomes of intrapartum care with 24‐hour consultant labour ward presence and other models of consultant cover.

Objectives

To collate and critically appraise evidence of the effect of continuous resident consultant obstetrician cover on the labour ward on outcomes of intrapartum care compared with other models of consultant cover.

Search strategy

Studies were included which quantitatively compared intrapartum outcomes for women and babies where continuous resident consultant obstetric cover was provided with other models of consultant cover.

Selection criteria

Quantitative studies within healthcare systems with mixed obstetric‐midwifery models of care.

Data collection and analysis

Two researchers independently screened titles and full‐text publications, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta‐analysis was performed using REVIEW MANAGER 5.3.

Main results

About 1508 publications were screened resulting in two papers, three conference abstracts and one letter being included. All were single‐site time‐period comparison studies. The quality of studies overall was poor with significant risk of bias. The only significant finding in meta‐analysis related to instrumental deliveries, which occurred more frequently when there was on‐call consultant cover (unadjusted risk ratio 1.14; 95% CI 1.04–1.24).

Conclusion

No reliable evidence of the effects of 24‐hour resident consultant presence on the labour ward on intrapartum outcomes was identified.

Tweetable abstract

More robust research is needed to assess intrapartum outcomes with resident consultant labour ward presence.
Observational study of alternative therapies among paediatric emergency department patients
Authors: Ding Juen‐Li , Taylor David McD , Lee Marina , Johnson Olivia G , Ashok Aadith , Griffiths Meg , Simma Leopold , Craig Simon S , Cheek John A , Babl Franz E
Published: February 2017

Objective

While complementary medicine use among ED paediatric patients is common, the use of alternative therapies (ATs; physical or spiritual therapies) is unknown. We aimed to determine the 12 month period prevalence and nature of AT use among paediatric patients and parent perceptions of AT use.

Methods

We undertook a cross‐sectional survey of a convenience sample of parents of paediatric patients in three EDs in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia (January–June, 2015). Parents were invited to complete a validated, anonymous, self‐administered questionnaire. The main outcomes were AT use by the patient and parent perceptions of ATs.

Results

A total of 806 parents were enrolled. In the previous 12 months, 393 (48.8%) patients had received at least one AT. There were no gender or ethnicity differences between AT users and non‐users. AT use was more common among older patients (P < 0.05). Patients with chronic illness tended to use more ATs (P = 0.12). A total of 1091 courses of 43 different ATs had been provided. The most common were massage (16% of patients), chiropractic therapy (9.8%), relaxation (7.2%), meditation (6.2%) and aromatherapy (6.1%). ATs were generally used for musculoskeletal problems, health maintenance, stress and anxiety. Parents who arranged the ATs were significantly more likely to report that ATs are safe, prevent and treat illness, assist prescription medicines and offer a more holistic approach to healthcare (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

AT use is common among paediatric ED patients. Parents who arrange AT have differing perceptions of AT usefulness and safety from those who do not.
How likely am I to return home? A study of New Zealand self‐initiated expatriates
Authors: Lindsay Valerie , Sharma Revti Raman , Rashad Shaleen
Published: February 2017

Our study contributes to the research domain of self‐initiated repatriation, focusing on the drivers of self‐initiated expatriates’ intention to repatriate (ITR). We examine the impact of selected individual characteristics (gender, ethnicity, international experience), contextual factors (spouse job availability, nature of networks, host‐country location) and the established home‐country pull factors (economic opportunities, lifestyle and relational considerations) on self‐initiated expatriates’ITR. We also examine the moderating effects of gender and international experience. Based on a sample of 248 New Zealand self‐initiated expatriates (SIEs), the findings support the role of the established home‐country pull factors, but a number of the additional contextual factors and individual characteristics ofSIEs, as well as the moderation effects of gender and international experience represent new findings and offer contributions to theSIErepatriation literature.
Effects of Spatial Distribution of Prairie Vegetation in an Agricultural Landscape on Curve Number Values
Authors: Dziubanski David J. , Franz Kristie J. , Helmers Matthew J.
Published: February 2017

The curve number (CN) method is used to calculate runoff in many hydrologic models, including the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The CN method does not account for the spatial distribution of land cover types, an important factor controlling runoff patterns. The objective of this study was to empirically derive CN values that reflect the strategic placement of native prairie vegetation (NPV) within row crop agricultural landscapes. CNs were derived using precipitation and runoff data from a seven‐year period for 14 small watersheds in Iowa. The watersheds were planted with varying amounts of NPV located in different watershed positions. The least squares and asymptotic least squares methods (LSM) were used to derive CNs using an initial abstraction coefficient (λ) of 0.2 and 0.05. The CNs were verified using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation and adjustment for antecedent moisture conditions (AMC) was tested. The asymptotic method produced CN values for watersheds with NPV treatment that were 8.9 and 14.7% lower than watersheds with 100% row crop at λ = 0.2 and λ = 0.05, respectively. The derived CNs produced Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency values ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 during validation. Our analyses show the CNs verified best for the asymptotic LSM, when using λ of 0.05 and adjusting for AMC. Further, comparison of derived CNs against an area weighted CN indicated that the placement of vegetation does impact the CN value. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on SWAT Applications for Emerging Hydrologic and Water Quality Challenges. See the February 2017 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Referral patterns of general dental practitioners for bone grafting and implant placement
Authors: Gupta B , Shadbolt B , Hyam D
Published: February 2017

Background

Dental implant rehabilitation is a well‐established procedure often conducted in the general dental practise setting. The outcomes for implant placement are reliable when the recipient site is favourable. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy with which general dental practitioners (GDP) assess the bone volume available for implant placement and their referral patterns for implant sites, which may require bone grafting.

Methods

Fifty‐three GDP were surveyed and asked to assess five different scenarios and cone‐beam scans for difficulty (0, ‘no difficulty’; 5, ‘the most difficult’), and bone grafting requirements (‘yes’/‘no’ and ‘who to perform’), prior to implant placement.

Results

The GDP assessment of difficulty for the cases was: no graft required, 1.88; aesthetic zone involvement, 3.25; vertical deficiency, 2.8; sinus lift required, 3.68; and horizontal deficiency, 4.4. GDP seemed to have some difficulty identifying which cases required a bone graft, occasionally grafting a site with sufficient bone (12.5%), or not grafting a site with insufficient bone (45–75%).

Conclusions

These results show that GDP are accurate in assessing the difficulty of an implant case and conservative when it comes to attempting these complex cases. GDP are less confident when it comes to recognizing cases that require bone grafting, and what options are available.
Hot bird drinking patterns: drivers of water visitation in a fynbos bird community
Authors: Lee Alan T. K. , Wright Dale , Barnard Phoebe
Published: February 2017

Water affects distribution of many species, but climate change is set to change rainfall patterns and hence water availability. In South Africa, various global climate‐change models suggest a drier future for the winter rainfall regions with implications for survival of plant and animal species of the fynbos region. Most birds offload heat by evaporative water loss, and this increases exponentially from 25°C. Birds need to replenish their water loss to cope particularly at high temperatures, especially species that have little preformed water in the diet. We documented bird species drinking at five natural water sources at a semi‐arid fynbos site through time‐lapse cameras to explore which birds are drinking when. We modelled the total numbers of birds observed drinking as a function of diet, mass and relative abundance and found that species classified as granivores were predicted to drink most frequently, with the more common species most frequently recorded. A phylogenetically controlled trait‐based logistic regression indicated abundance as the best predictor of observation at the water sources. Daily drinking rates at the species level for the ten most frequently observed species were generally best explained by daily temperature, with higher drinking rates on hotter days. However, daily drinking patterns were poorly explained by diurnal temperature trends at the hourly level, and we were unable to document sufficient predators to comment on the influence of predator avoidance or other heat mitigation strategies. Finally, we discuss the implications of our observations for the set of fynbos endemic passerines.
Thinking Outside the Bubble of the Global North: Introducing Milton Santos and “The Active Role of Geography”
Authors: Melgaço Lucas
Published: February 2017

Brazilian geographer Milton Santos is one of the most quoted, celebrated, and controversial social scientists of the so‐called “global South”. His body of work employs a rich vocabulary including reinterpretations of concepts such as “totality”, as well as original concepts like “used territory”. These and other concepts have formed the basis of what could be called a “Miltonian” school of thought in geography. However, despite his national and regional importance to Brazil and the “global South” more generally, he has long been overlooked by the English‐speaking community of geographers. The present article intends to bridge this gap by offering an introduction to Santos and to the English translation of one of his most important and hotly debated texts, “The Active Role of Geography: A Manifesto”.
Visceral adiposity predicts post‐operative Crohn's disease recurrence
Authors: Holt D. Q. , Moore G. T. , Strauss B. J. G. , Hamilton A. L. , De Cruz P. , Kamm M. A.
Published: February 2017

Background

Excessive visceral adipose tissue has been associated with poorer outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim

To determine whether body composition is associated with outcome in a prospective study of post‐operative Crohn's disease patients.

Methods

The POCER study evaluated management strategies for prevention of post‐operative Crohn's disease recurrence; subjects were enrolled after resection of all macroscopic Crohn's disease and were randomised to early endoscopy and possible treatment escalation, or standard care. The primary endpoint was endoscopic recurrence at 18 months. 44 subjects with cross‐sectional abdominal imaging were studied, and body composition analysis performed using established techniques to measure visceral adipose tissue area, subcutaneous adipose tissue area, and skeletal muscle area.

Results

The body composition parameter with the greatest variance was visceral adipose tissue. Regardless of treatment, all subjects with visceral adipose tissue/height2 >1.5 times the gender‐specific mean experienced endoscopic recurrence at 18 months (compared to 47%) [relative risk 2.1, 95% CI 1.5–3.0, P = 0.012]. Waist circumference correlated strongly with visceral adipose tissue area (ρ = 0.840, P < 0.001). Low skeletal muscle was prevalent (41% of patients), but did not predict endoscopic recurrence; however, appendicular skeletal muscle indices correlated inversely with faecal calprotectin (ρ = 0.560, P = 0.046).

Conclusions

Visceral adiposity is an independent risk factor for endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease after surgery. Sarcopenia correlates with inflammatory biomarkers. Measures of visceral adipose tissue may help to stratify risk in post‐operative management strategies.
Reducing fat intake using implementation intentions: A meta‐analytic review
Authors: Vilà Irene , Carrero Isabel , Redondo Raquel
Published: February 2017

Purpose

To study the efficacy of forming implementation intentions for fat intake reduction as well as possible moderating variables.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of 12 empirical studies (N = 3,323) published in English and Spanish in the Web of Science (Core Collection) and MEDLINE (1990–January 2016) databases.

Results

This study found that the efficacy of planning interventions on fat consumption reduction was higher than expected, as a moderate overall effect of implementation intentions was observed (d = 0.488). Moreover, planning for a fat intake reduction seems to be more powerful for men than for women (β = −.623; p = .025) and in cases where there is no monitoring during the intervention (d = 0.671 vs. d = 0.231).

Conclusions

Previous research was sceptical of the efficacy of planning in the case of avoiding goals in healthy eating. However, our results show that planning is an efficient intervention that can be used by health education programmes to reduce fat intake and, therefore, increase citizen well‐being. These results also support the existence of a key variable in the implementation intentions process, that is, goal complexity, and the presence of two moderating variables, that is, gender and monitoring.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Implementation intentions are action plans subordinate to goal intentions that specify the ‘when, where, and how’ of responses leading to goal attainment.

In healthy eating, the average effect of forming implementation intentions is small to medium, but this efficacy changes depending on the type of intended behaviour. Past evidence shows that the effect size seems to be lower when the intervention aims at reducing unhealthy behaviours versus promoting healthy behaviours.

What does this study add?

Forming implementation intentions is an efficient intervention to reduce fat intake with a medium overall effect.

The efficacy of this intervention is increased when men are targeted and when there is no monitoring during the process.

This study introduces a new line of research focused on the study of the effect of planning on complex goals.
Past changes of spring drought in the inner Tianshan Mountains, China, as recorded by tree rings
Authors: Zhang Ruibo , Yuan Yujiang , Yu Shulong , Chen Feng , Zhang Tongwen
Published: February 2017

Drought is a common natural disaster in arid Central Asia, and the severity and frequency of drought and other hydroclimatic events are critical to the region's ecology and its residents’ livelihoods. In particular, water resource management requires reliable knowledge of climatic variability and annual and centennial drought patterns. In this paper, we establish a 587‐year tree ring chronology using 215 Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey) samples and reconstruct a spring Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) for the inner Tianshan Mountains spanning the 1645–2008 period. The reconstruction explains 40.3% of the variance during the sub‐period for which we also have reliable observational data (1938–2005). Cross‐validation during this common period also supports our reconstruction model. Spatial correlation analyses with gridded PDSI data show that our PDSI reconstruction reveals a strong regional drought signal for the central and western Tianshan Mountains.
Novel nucleoside analogues targeting HCV replication through an NS5A‐dependent inhibition mechanism
Authors: Lougiakis Nikolaos , Frakolaki Efseveia , Karmou Panagiota , Pouli Nicole , Marakos Panagiotis , Madan Vanesa , Bartenschlager Ralf , Vassilaki Niki
Published: February 2017

A series of new tricyclic nucleosides were synthesized and evaluated as hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication inhibitors. Initial screening in a HCV replicon system, derived from a genotype 1b isolate, identified 9‐benzylamino‐3‐(β‐D‐ribofuranosyl)‐3H‐imidazo[4′,5′:5,6]pyrido[2,3‐b]pyrazine (15d) as the most potent analogue. Comparative assessment of 15d activity against HCV full‐length viruses or subgenomic replicons derived from genotypes 1 to 4 revealed a specificity of the compound for genotypes 1 and 3. Surprisingly, resistance mutations selected against 15d were mapped to domains II and III of the non‐structural protein 5A (NS5A), but not to the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase residing in NS5B. These results argue that compound 15d might represent a lead for the development of a novel class of NS5A inhibitors.
Synthesis, antimalarial activity in vitro, and docking studies of novel neolignan derivatives
Authors: Pereira Glaécia A. N. , Souza Gisele C. , Santos Lourivaldo S. , Barata Lauro E. S. , Meneses Carla C. F. , Krettli Antoniana U. , Daniel‐Ribeiro Cláudio Tadeu , Alves Cláudio Nahum
Published: February 2017

The absence of effective vaccines against malaria and the difficulties associated with controlling mosquito vectors have left chemotherapy as the primary control measure against malaria. However, the emergence and spread of parasite resistance to conventional antimalarial drugs result in a worrisome scenario making the search for new drugs a priority. In the present study, the activities of nine neolignan derivatives were evaluated as follows: (i) against blood forms of chloroquine‐resistant Plasmodium falciparum (clone W2), using the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporation and anti‐HRPII assays; (ii) for cytotoxic activity against cultured human hepatoma cells (HepG2); and (iii) for intermolecular interaction with the P. falciparum cysteine protease of falcipain‐2 (F2) by molecular docking. The neolignan derivatives 9 and 10 showed activity against the blood form of the chloroquine‐resistant P. falciparum clone W2 and were not cytotoxic against cultured human hepatoma cells. A molecular docking study of these two neolignans with FP2 revealed several intermolecular interactions that should guide the design of future analogs.
Usefulness of confocal laser endomicroscopy to diagnose ulcerative colitis‐associated neoplasia
Authors: Ohmiya Naoki , Horiguchi Noriyuki , Tahara Tomomitsu , Yoshida Dai , Yamada Hyuga , Nagasaka Mitsuo , Nakagawa Yoshihito , Shibata Tomoyuki , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Kuroda Makoto
Published: February 2017

Chromoendoscopy, narrow‐band imaging (NBI), and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) have been introduced in ulcerative colitis (UC)‐associated neoplasia surveillance. We aimed to determine the ability of CLE to differentiate among UC‐associated neoplasia (differentiated type or undifferentiated type), sporadic adenoma, and circumscribed regenerative lesions. Of 665 patients with UC, we carried out probe‐based CLE (pCLE) on 12 patients with suspected UC‐associated neoplasia in addition to magnifying chromoendoscopy with crystal violet and NBI. We compared pCLE findings with pathological diagnoses. pCLE could differentiate UC‐associated differentiated cancer from other pathologies such as solitary adenoma and non‐neoplastic circumscribed regenerative lesions on the basis of back‐to‐back orientation of crypts (P = 0.048), and UC‐associated undifferentiated cancer from other pathologies on the basis of dark trabecular architecture (P = 0.015). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of combination of back‐to‐back orientation of crypts and dark trabecular architecture for carcinoma or dysplasia were 100%, 83%, and 92%, respectively. In vivo microscopic observation with pCLE was helpful to evaluate the suspected UC‐associated neoplasia.
Misconceptions amongst dental students: How can they be identified?
Authors: Grazziotin‐Soares R. , Lind S. L. , Ardenghi D. M. , Curtis D. A.
Published: February 2017

Aim

To compare the frequency of misconceptions amongst dental students resulting from assessments in different subject areas using different types of multiple‐choice questions (MCQs). We wanted to know whether misconceptions, or strongly held incorrect beliefs, differed by subject area or question type.

Methods

A total of 104 students completed two assessments that included 20 MCQs on endodontics and 20 MCQs on dental implants. On each examination, 10 questions were scenario‐type questions requiring interpretation or analysis and 10 questions were factual‐based, knowledge questions. Incorrect responses and confidence levels by student and subject were recorded for a comparison of average misconceptions by question type and for correlations between scenario and knowledge question types for misconceptions on both assessments.

Results

Students were overly confident on their incorrect responses and misconceptions for both assessments. On the endodontic examination, students held a statistically significant higher number of mean misconceptions on scenario questions than for knowledge questions, but the difference was not statistically significant for the dental implant examination. There was a moderately weak relationship between scenario and knowledge questions for misconceptions on the endodontic (r=.31) and dental implant (r=.20) assessments, suggesting students who have misconceptions on knowledge questions are somewhat more likely to have misconceptions on scenario questions.

Conclusion

Students had a consistent rate of overconfidence (75%) in their incorrect responses regardless of question type or dental subject. Questions that prompted a higher per cent of incorrect responses were more likely to detect misconceptions, as students were highly confident in their mistakes, for both assessments.
Supporting the library and information needs of UWE health and social care students on placement
Authors: Plaice Caroline , Lloyd Jon , Shaw Pauline
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of this research was to explore the library and information needs of health and social care students whilst on placement.

Methods

Both desk and primary research were conducted and included an online questionnaire to students and semi‐structured interviews.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 252 students from a variety of programmes, equivalent to a 10% response rate. The results indicate a wide range of factors impacting on the library and information experiences of students. Whilst differences in the availability of a physical library in hospital or community locations still exist, these are mitigated by technology and a preference for home study. A significant result is that 77% (n = 193) of students on placement study at home, using a variety of Internet‐connected devices. This highlights a marked change in practice and underlines the need for mobile‐compliant e‐resources and accessible at‐a‐distance services.

Conclusion

As a result of this research, practical recommendations on how library support can be improved were developed including enhanced collaboration and learning with NHS colleagues, and knowledge sharing with other departments within the University who support our students.
Ten years of reviews
Authors: Grant Maria J.
Published: February 2017

The March 2017 issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal marks the 10 year anniversary of the inaugural review published in the journal's review series. The review series was conceived to meet the growing appetite of health library and information workers to access synthesised evidence to inform their practice; something we'd already been doing to support medics in their practice. This editorial looks back on the 10 years and the inspiration which saw the development of a typology of review types and associated methodologies to address the lack of consistent guidelines on the features a review should incorporate.
Intrinsic factors drive spatial genetic variation in a highly vagile species, the wedge‐tailed eagle Aquila audax, in Tasmania
Authors: Kozakiewicz Christopher P. , Carver Scott , Austin Jeremy J. , Shephard Jill M. , Burridge Christopher P.
Published: February 2017

Knowledge of dispersal in a species, both its quantity and the factors influencing it, are crucial for our understanding of ecology and evolution, and for species conservation. Here we quantified and formally assessed the potential contribution of extrinsic factors on individual dispersal in the threatened Tasmanian population of wedge‐tailed eagle Aquila audax. As successful breeding by these individuals appears strongly related to habitat, we tested the effect of landscape around sampling sites on genetic diversity and spatial genetic variation, as these are influenced by patterns of dispersal. Similarly, we also tested whether habitat intervening sampling sites could explain spatial genetic variation. Twenty microsatellites were scored, but only a small proportion of spatial genetic variation (4.6%) could be explained by extrinsic factors, namely habitat suitability and elevation between sites. However, significant clinal genetic variation was evident across Tasmania, which we explain by intrinsic factors, likely high natal philopatry and occasional long‐distance dispersal. This study demonstrates that spatial genetic variation can be detected in highly vagile species at spatial scales that are small relative to putative dispersal ability, although here there was no substantial relationship with landscape factors tested.
The clinical value of breath hydrogen testing
Authors: Yao Chu K , Tuck Caroline J
Published: February 2017

Breath hydrogen testing for assessing the presence of carbohydrate malabsorption is frequently applied to refine dietary restrictions on a low fermentable carbohydrate (FODMAP) diet. Its application has also been extended for the detection of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Recently, several caveats of its methodology and interpretation have emerged. A review of the evidence surrounding its application in the management of patients with a functional bowel disorder was performed. Studies were examined to assess limitations of testing methodology, interpretation of results, reproducibility, and how this relates to clinical symptoms. A wide heterogeneity in testing parameters, definition of positive/negative response, and the use of clinically irrelevant doses of test carbohydrate were common methodological limitations. These factors can subsequently impact the sensitivity, specificity, and false positive or negative detection rates. Evidence is also increasing on the poor intra‐individual reproducibility in breath responses with repeated testing for fructose and lactulose. On the basis of these limitations, it is not surprising that the diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth based on a lactulose breath test yields a wide prevalence rate and is unreliable. Finally, symptom induction during a breath test has been found to correlate poorly with the presence of carbohydrate malabsorption. The evidence suggests that breath hydrogen tests have limited clinical value in guiding clinical decision for the patient with a functional bowel disorder.
The evidence base for efficacy of the low FODMAP diet in irritable bowel syndrome: is it ready for prime time as a first‐line therapy?
Authors: Gibson Peter R
Published: February 2017

Six randomized controlled trials comparing low FODMAP diet with placebo approaches have all indicated efficacy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The studies have provided all the food (n = 3) or utilized dietitian‐led education (n = 3). They have variably met criticisms regarding issues such as the choice of placebo, the number of patients studied, the success of blinding, and the duration of the interventions, but the results are uniformly positive for the diet. Real‐world experience of the low FODMAP diet has confirmed the findings of the randomized studies, in that about 70% of patients respond. Difficulty in delivering the diet has not been an issue, and the majority of patients find the diet easy to follow when dietitian led. Observational studies have suggested durability of efficacy, even in association with reintroduction of FODMAPs as recommended. Three studies comparing institution of standard dietary guidelines for IBS with the low FODMAP diet have found either similar or improved outcomes with the latter. Low FODMAP diet also has similar efficacy to that of gut‐directed hypnotherapy, another strategy with broad benefit in IBS. There are currently no clinically applicable indices that predict response to the diet. In conclusion, clinical trials and observational studies support the notion that a dietitian‐led low FODMAP diet is ready for primetime and should be considered as a first‐line therapy for patients with IBS where the use of a restrictive diet is appropriate.