bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postoperative complications of patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Ball Lorenzo , Costantino Federico , Pelosi Paolo
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

Cardiac surgery is at high risk for the development of postoperative complications involving cardiovascular and respiratory system, as well as kidneys and central nervous system. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the most recent findings concerning the type and incidence of different complications after cardiac surgery and to summarize the current recommendations.

Recent findings

Despite an improvement of surgical and anaesthesia techniques that resulted in a significant decrease in mortality, postoperative complications play a major role in affecting morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay and patients’ quality of life. The most recent evidence suggests that fluid and inotropes administration should be targeted to maintain a cardiac index above 3 l/min/m2 throughout the perioperative period. Volatile anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation with low tidal volumes, low driving pressure and moderate-low positive end-expiratory pressure should be preferred. Preoperative steroids could reduce postoperative atrial fibrillation, whereas no drug has shown to effectively prevent kidney injury.

Cardiac surgery is still at high risk for postoperative complications. The optimal type of anaesthesia, protective mechanical ventilation during and after surgery as well as haemodynamic management with vasoactive and inotropic drugs is still to be determined.
Perioperative complications of obese patients
Authors: Kiss Thomas , Bluth Thomas , de Abreu Marcelo Gama
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

The perioperative care of obese patients can often be challenging, as the presence of comorbidities is common in this patient population. In this article, we present recent data on perioperative complications of obese patients and discuss relevant details for daily practice, including drug dosing, airway management, and mechanical ventilation.

Recent findings

The volatile agent desflurane reduces extubation time, without major effects on postoperative anesthesia care unit discharge time, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, or postoperative pain scores compared with other volatile anesthetics. Lean body weight is the most appropriate dosing scalar for most drugs used in anesthesia, including opioids and anesthetic induction agents. Compared with the operational theatre, airway complications occur 20-fold more often in the ICU, with poor outcome. Individual titration of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) after lung recruitment improves gas exchange and lung mechanics intraoperatively, but data on patient outcome are lacking.

Intensive care physicians who treat obese patients need to be trained in the management of the difficult airway. The application of PEEP and the use of recruitment maneuvers may lead to improved intraoperative oxygenation, but current data do not allow recommending the use of high PEEP combined with lung recruitment maneuvers in this population.
Rising Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Among Young Hispanics in Texas
Authors: Wang Daniel Y. , Thrift Aaron P. , Zarrin-Khameh Neda , Wichmann Alexandra , Armstrong Georgina N. , Thompson Patricia A. , Bondy Melissa L. , Musher Benjamin L.
Published: June 2016

Goals:

To investigate trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and survival among Hispanics in Texas.

Background:

The incidence of CRC is rising among young adults in the United States. Given Texas’ large Hispanic population, investigating CRC trends in Texas may provide valuable insight into the future of CRC epidemiology in an ever-diversifying US population.

Study:

Data from the Texas Cancer Registry (1995 to 2010) were used to calculate age-adjusted CRC rates based on the 2000 US standard population. Annual percentage change (APC) and 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were reported by age, race/ethnicity, stage, and anatomic location.

Results:

Of 123,083 CRC cases, 11% occurred in individuals below 50 years old, 26% of whom were Hispanic. Incidence was highest among African Americans (AAs; 76.3/100,000), followed by non-Hispanic whites (NHWs; 60.2/100,000) and Hispanics (50.8/100,000). Although overall CRC incidence declined between 1995 and 2010 (APC, −1.8%; P<0.01), trends differed by age and race/ethnicity. Among individuals 50 years and above, the rate of decline was statistically significant among NHWs (APC, −2.4%; P<0.01) and AAs (APC, −1.3%; P<0.01) but not among Hispanics (APC, −0.6%; P=0.13). In persons aged 20 to 39 years, CRC incidence rose significantly among Hispanics (APC, 2.6%; P<0.01) and NHWs (APC, 2.4%; P<0.01), but not AAs (APC, 0.3%; P=0.75). CSS rates among Hispanics and NHWs were comparable across most age groups and cancer stages, whereas CSS rates among AAs were generally inferior to those observed among NHWs and Hispanics.

Conclusions:

Although CRC incidence has declined in Texas, it is rising among young Hispanics and NHWs while declining more slowly among older Hispanics than among older NHWs and AAs.
Environmental Enteric Dysfunction Is Associated With Altered Bile Acid Metabolism
Authors: Semba Richard D. , Gonzalez‐Freire Marta , Moaddel Ruin , Trehan Indi , Maleta Kenneth M. , Khadeer Mohammed , Ordiz Maria Isabel , Ferrucci Luigi , Manary Mark J.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a clinically asymptomatic condition characterized by inflammation of the small bowel mucosa, villous atrophy, and increased gut permeability, is common among children in developing countries. Because of abnormal gut mucosa and altered gut microbiome, EED could potentially affect the metabolism and enterohepatic circulation of bile acids.

Methods:

In 313 children, aged 12 to 59 months, EED was assessed by the dual sugar absorption test. Serum bile acids were measured using stable‐isotope liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry.

Results:

In the overall study population, serum cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were lower, whereas glycocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, glycolithocholic acid, and glycoursodeoxycholic acid were significantly higher at older ages. Independent of age, serum taurochenodeoxycholic acid, tauromuricholic acid, and glycoursodeoxycholic acid were significantly different between 244 children with EED and 69 children without EED. Total serum bile acids (median, interquartile range) were 4.51 (2.45, 7.51) and 5.10 (3.32, 9.01) μmol/L in children with and without EED, respectively (age‐adjusted, P = 0.0009). The proportion of bile acids conjugated with taurine instead of glycine was higher in children with EED (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

EED is associated with altered bile acid metabolism in young children in rural Malawi. Further work is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings in other study populations.
Reliability and Validity of the Visual, Musculoskeletal, and Balance Complaints Questionnaire
Authors: Lundqvist Lars-Olov , Zetterlund Christina , Richter Hans O.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the 15-item Visual, Musculoskeletal, and Balance Complaints Questionnaire (VMB) for people with visual impairments, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and with Rasch analysis for use as an outcome measure.

Methods

Two studies evaluated the VMB. In Study 1, VMB data were collected from 1249 out of 3063 individuals between 18 and 104 years old who were registered at a low vision center. CFA evaluated VMB factor structure and Rasch analysis evaluated VMB scale properties. In Study 2, a subsample of 52 individuals between 27 and 67 years old with visual impairments underwent further measurements. Visual clinical assessments, neck/scapular pain, and balance assessments were collected to evaluate the convergent validity of the VMB (i.e. the domain relationship with other, theoretically predicted measures).

Results

CFA supported the a priori three-factor structure of the VMB. The factor loadings of the items on their respective domains were all statistically significant. Rasch analysis indicated disordered categories and the original 10-point scale was subsequently replaced with a 5-point scale. Each VMB domain fitted the Rasch model, showing good metric properties, including unidimensionality (explained variances ≥66% and eigenvalues <1.9), person separation (1.86 to 2.29), reliability (0.87 to 0.94), item fit (infit MnSq’s >0.72 and outfit MnSq’s <1.47), targeting (0.30 to 0.50 logits), and insignificant differential item functioning (all DIFs but one <0.50 logits) from gender, age, and visual status. The three VMB domains correlated significantly with relevant visual, musculoskeletal, and balance assessments, demonstrating adequate convergent validity of the VMB.

Conclusions

The VMB is a simple, inexpensive, and quick yet reliable and valid way to screen and evaluate concurrent visual, musculoskeletal, and balance complaints, with contribution to epidemiological and intervention research and potential clinical implications for the field of health services and low vision rehabilitation.
Sir John Harold Horlock FREng. 19 April 1928 — 22 May 2015
Authors: Denton J. D. , Gostelow J. P.
Published: June 2016

John Harold Horlock was one of the outstanding engineers of his generation. His expertise was in the thermodynamics and fluid mechanics of turbines and compressors, as used for jet engines and for power generation. He made major contributions to this field over 60 years. After graduating from Cambridge he worked for Rolls-Royce for two years before returning to Cambridge to study for his PhD, and was subsequently appointed a lecturer in engineering and a Fellow of St John's College. At the age of 30 he was elected to the Harrison Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Liverpool, where he remained for nine years, producing an impressive amount of individual research as well as transforming the department into one of the best in the country. Returning to a chair at Cambridge he reorganized the Mechanical Sciences Tripos and founded the Whittle Laboratory, which became one of the world's leading centres for turbomachinery research. He then became Vice-Chancellor of Salford University, remaining there for seven years before moving on to become Vice-Chancellor of the Open University. After retirement at the of age 62 he continued to be very active: as a consultant, as Treasurer and Vice President of the Royal Society, as a frequent visitor to the Whittle Laboratory and as the author of many papers and several books. Knighted in 1996, Sir John Horlock will be remembered not only for his intellectual abilities but also for his personal skills, which enabled him to interact freely with all levels of society, from cabinet ministers to graduate students.
Synchrotron X-ray CT characterization of titanium parts fabricated by additive manufacturing. Part II. Defects
Authors: Scarlett Nicola Vivienne Yorke , Tyson Peter , Fraser Darren , Mayo Sheridan , Maksimenko Anton
Published: June 2016

Synchrotron X-ray tomography (SXRT) has been applied to the study of defects within three-dimensional printed titanium parts. These parts were made using the Arcam EBM®(electron beam melting) process which uses powdered titanium alloy, Ti64 (Ti alloy with approximately 6%Al and 4%V) as the feed and an electron beam for the sintering/welding. The experiment was conducted on the Imaging and Medical Beamline of the Australian Synchrotron. The samples represent a selection of complex shapes with a variety of internal morphologies. InspectionviaSXRT has revealed a number of defects which may not otherwise have been seen. The location and nature of such defects combined with detailed knowledge of the process conditions can contribute to understanding the interplay between design and manufacturing strategy. This fundamental understanding may subsequently be incorporated into process modelling, prediction of properties and the development of robust methodologies for the production of defect-free parts.
Volumic omit maps inab initiodual-space phasing
Authors: Oszlányi Gábor , Sütő András
Published: June 2016

Alternating-projection-type dual-space algorithms have a clear construction, but are susceptible to stagnation and, thus, inefficient for solving the phase problemab initio. To improve this behaviour new omit maps are introduced, which are real-space perturbations applied periodically during the iteration process. The omit maps are calledvolumic, because they delete some predetermined subvolume of the unit cell without searching for atomic regions or analysing the electron density in any other way. The basic algorithms of positivity, histogram matching and low-density elimination are tested by their solution statistics. It is concluded that, while all these algorithms based on weak constraints are practically useless in their pure forms, appropriate volumic omit maps can transform them to practically useful methods. In addition, the efficiency of the already useful reflector-type charge-flipping algorithm can be further improved. It is important that these results are obtained by using non-sharpened structure factors and without any weighting scheme or reciprocal-space perturbation. The mathematical background of volumic omit maps and their expected applications are also discussed.
Two dimensional element free Galerkin coupled flow function method and its application
Authors: Zhang Qingdong , Zhang Boyang , Lu Xingfu
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a hybridization numerical method to solve the plastic deformation of metal working based on the flow function method and meshless method.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed method is named as flow function-element free Galerkin (F-EFG) method. It uses the flow function as the basic unknown quantity to get the basic control equation, the compactly supported approximate function to establish a local approximate flow function by means of moving least square approximation, and the element free Galerkin (EFG) method to solve variational equation. The F-EFG method takes the upper limit method essence of flow function method, and the convergence, stability, and error characteristics of EFG method.

Findings

– The steady extrusion process of the axisymmetric extrusion problems as well as the extrusion deformation law and main field variables are subjects in the modeling and simulation analysis using F-EFG method. The results show that the F-EFG method has good computational efficiency and accuracy.

Originality/value

– The F-EFG method proposed in this paper has the advantages of high-solution precision of flow function method and large deformation solution of element free method. It overcomes the difficulties in global flow function establishment in flow function method and low-solution efficiency in element free method. The method is beneficial to the development of flow function method and element free method.
Single point incremental forming simulation with adaptive remeshing technique using solid-shell elements
Authors: Sena José I.V. , Lequesne Cedric , Duchene L , Habraken Anne-Marie , Valente Robertt A.F. , Alves de Sousa Ricardo J
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Numerical simulation of the single point incremental forming (SPIF) processes can be very demanding and time consuming due to the constantly changing contact conditions between the tool and the sheet surface, as well as the nonlinear material behaviour combined with non-monotonic strain paths. The purpose of this paper is to propose an adaptive remeshing technique implemented in the in-house implicit finite element code LAGAMINE, to reduce the simulation time. This remeshing technique automatically refines only a portion of the sheet mesh in vicinity of the tool, therefore following the tool motion. As a result, refined meshes are avoided and consequently the total CPU time can be drastically reduced.

Design/methodology/approach

– SPIF is a dieless manufacturing process in which a sheet is deformed by using a tool with a spherical tip. This dieless feature makes the process appropriate for rapid-prototyping and allows for an innovative possibility to reduce overall costs for small batches, since the process can be performed in a rapid and economic way without expensive tooling. As a consequence, research interest related to SPIF process has been growing over the last years.

Findings

– In this work, the proposed automatic refinement technique is applied within a reduced enhanced solid-shell framework to further improve numerical efficiency. In this sense, the use of a hexahedral finite element allows the possibility to use general 3D constitutive laws. Additionally, a direct consideration of thickness variations, double-sided contact conditions and evaluation of all components of the stress field are available with solid-shell and not with shell elements. Additionally, validations by means of benchmarks are carried out, with comparisons against experimental results.

Originality/value

– It is worth noting that no previous work has been carried out using remeshing strategies combined with hexahedral elements in order to improve the computational efficiency resorting to an implicit scheme, which makes this work innovative. Finally, it has been shown that it is possible to perform accurate and efficient finite element simulations of SPIF process, resorting to implicit analysis and continuum elements. This is definitively a step-forward on the state-of-art in this field.
Crashworthiness optimization of circular tubes with functionally-graded thickness
Authors: Baykasoglu Adil , Baykasoglu Cengiz
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a new multi-objective optimization procedure for crashworthiness optimization of thin-walled structures especially circular tubes with functionally graded thickness.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed optimization approach is based on finite element analyses for construction of sample design space and verification; gene-expression programming (GEP) for generating algebraic equations (meta-models) to compute objective functions values (peak crash force and specific energy absorption) for design parameters; multi-objective genetic algorithms for generating design parameters alternatives and determining optimal combination of them. The authors have also utilized linear and non-linear least square regression meta-models as a benchmark for GEP.

Findings

– It is shown that the proposed approach is able to generate Pareto optimal designs which are in a very good agreement with the actual results.

Originality/value

– The paper presents the application of a genetic programming-based method, namely, GEP first time in the literature. The proposed approach can be used to all kinds of related crashworthiness problems.
KTS Saving and Credit Society: managing communication
Authors: Wanjiru Kabui Anne Christine
Published: June 2016

Subject area

Management.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate and Post Graduate.

Case overview

Communication is a critical function of management, as it allows all stakeholders in an organization effectively and appropriately express their views in turn enabling the organization accurately execute its mandate and meet its objectives and those of its stakeholders.

Expected learning outcomes

The student should be able to describe communication as a function of management, evaluate the process of communication, differentiate forms of communication, identify the networks of communication, examine the barriers of communication and role of managers in using communication to achieve organizational change.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resource management.
First Telecom – India 2.0 strategy
Authors: Singhania Monica , Gupta Puneet
Published: June 2016

Subject area

This case looks at a recent shift in the way organizations look to leverage the benefits from India as a cost-effective destination to provide services. What started, around 15 years back, as an activity to outsource all non-core activities to Indian companies to take the advantage of cost-effective resources, has now given way to a new model where the focus is on two key aspects, namely, “insourcing of work” and “transfer of core activities to India”. This is because of the realization that outsourcing may be a short-term solution for non-core activities; however, to build a sustainable capability that is both cost-effective and value-oriented, insourcing is key. Also, it is not just non-core activities that can be supported remotely; many core activities that have been managed by on-shore teams are increasingly being shifted to India to leverage the depth of skills available in the country. First Telecom has undertaken pioneering work in this domain by moving some of the critical functions to India and has created Centers of Excellence (CoEs) providing niche services to rest of the world.

Study level/applicability

Target audience includes corporate executives, students of MBA/postgraduate program in management in strategic management and/or workshops for understanding the concept of insourcing, cost transformation, business environment analysis and growth strategies for future.

Case overview

First Telecom has adopted what could be termed as “India 2.0” as the strategy to transform their operations worldwide to utilize the full potential of “India” as a service sector-outsourcing destination. The focus is not only on cost-avoidance but also on standardization of processes and mobilization of resources in a CoE setting to maximize the benefits. This case attempts to understand the way to go about it and the expected returns in a quantifiable manner.

Expected learning outcomes

To develop an understanding of business environment in the context of large multinational organizations that are constantly evolving to improve their operational excellence. Also, to develop an understanding of the outsourcing market and how companies are looking to move their core services to cost-effective locations to achieve the next phase of cost transformation after the outsourcing (non-core services) wave.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
Strategic management in cartelized environment: case of Hisham Packaging, Dubai
Authors: Laeequddin Mohammed , Abdul Waheed K.
Published: June 2016

Subject area

Business-to-business (B2B) marketing, microeconomics and strategic management.

Study level/applicability

Target audience can be MBA students who are taking B2B marketing, microeconomics and strategic management courses.

Case overview

On 1 January 2015, Hamza joined Hisham Packaging, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the CEO. Hisham Packaging specialises in production of corrugated boxes of various sizes, both in plain and printed forms. Most of Hamza’s experiences have been in the automobile industry, where his focus was on Lean operations rather than marketing. After joining Hisham Packaging, he learnt that in service industry like printing and packaging, the business focus is more customer-oriented than process-orientated. In the packaging industry, each customer’s requirement is unique and customised with variety and small volumes. What was shocking to him was that there is an informal cartel arrangement among major corrugated box suppliers in the country and without the consent of the cartel members, he cannot take any major decision like expanding the business or accepting or dropping a customer. Hamza discussed the scenario with his sales manager Ahmad to see what strategy to adopt for the growth of the company. He was trying to figure out what next? Like any other newly joined CEO, Hamza also had plans to increase the market share and make the operations Lean. He quickly found that it would be difficult for him to make any major impact on the existing business due to the constraints and he needed a different strategic move to grow the company.

Expected learning outcomes

The outcomes include understanding of market dynamics, cartelization of companies based on market structure and strategy building. Students learn that an organization’s performance is just not dependent on how the managers plan, organize and control but it also depends on the competitors and customer’s strategies. Students learn how to apply strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, Porter’s Five Forces analysis and PESTEL analysis in developing business strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note is attached.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing
The future of the UCL’s internet services department
Authors: Minja Ellinami J.
Published: June 2016

Subject area

Finance, General Business Management.

Study level/applicability

Postgraduate/MBA Second Year.

Case overview

The university-owned Universal Computing Limited (UCL) was contemplating on the future of its internet services business. Internally, the internet services department had put up a proposal on how to revamp the business. Concurrently, UCL received a joint venture proposition from a foreign telecommunication entity with which it had some business relation. The proposal was for UCL to cede its internet services department and the associated licence to the venture while the partner will finance the venture. Professor Ben Msomi, the UCL’s Managing Director knew that he had to make one of the two proposals a good sell to the board of directors’ meeting in two-weeks’ time probably before suggesting UCL to exit the internet services business.

Expected learning outcomes

Overall, the case aims at gaining an understanding of the sources of value of business and valuation of business. Specifically students are expected to learn how to: evaluate of the effect of various courses of action on the value of a business; apply different valuation methods – balance sheet, discounted cash-flows and market multiples in different context; establish appropriate rate for capitalization in business valuation; and handle assumptions and risks in business valuation,

Expected learning outcomes

Overall, the case aims at gaining an understanding of the sources of value of business and valuation of business. Specifically students are expected to learn how to: evaluate of the effect of various courses of action on the value of a business; apply different valuation methods – balance sheet, discounted cash-flows and market multiples in different context; establish appropriate rate for capitalization in business valuation; and handle assumptions and risks in business valuation,

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
Investigation of thermochemical boriding effect on wear behavior of a GGG 50 quality as-cast ductile iron
Authors: Mindivan Harun
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the microstructure and the abrasive wear features of the untreated and pack borided GGG 50 quality ductile iron under various working temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

GGG 50 quality as-cast ductile iron samples were pack borided in Ekabor II powder at 900°C for 3 h, followed by furnace cooling. Structural characterization was made by optical microscopy. Mechanical characterization was made by hardness and pin-on-disc wear test. Pin-on-disc test was conducted on a 240-mesh Al2O3 abrasive paper at various temperatures in between 25 and 450°C.

Findings

Room temperature abrasive wear resistance of the borided ductile iron increased with an increase in its surface hardness. High-temperature abrasive wear resistances of the borided ductile iron linearly decreased with an increase in test temperature. However, the untreated ductile iron exhibited relatively high resistance to abrasion at a temperature of 150°C.

Originality/value

This study can be a practical reference and offers insight into the effects of boriding process on the increase of room temperature wear resistance. However, above 150°C, the untreated ductile iron exhibited similar abrasive wear performance as compared to the borided ductile iron.
Solving the Moro problem: legalizing the Bangsamoro peace process
Authors: Carolan Gene
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the structural features that are proving central to the stability of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and those features that were detrimental to its predecessors.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper adopts a legalization framework derived from the model presented by Abbottet al.The simplicity of Abbottet al.’s theory allows for variation in the agreements’ text to be easily measured and compared. The inherent advantages of this model offset the difficulties in characterizing peace agreements under traditional legal methodologies, and reiterate the importance of legalized agreements in a conflict resolution context.

Findings

– This paper finds that a more highly legalized approach to peace-making has resulted in greater agreement stability in the Philippines. More precise in detail and inclusive in scope, the legal nature of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement has made it more responsive to the root causes of the conflict, and resilient to incidents that threatened to derail the peace process.

Practical implications

– This case study bears valuable lessons for conflict zones the world over, particularly the troubled negotiations on Syria, and the crisis in Ukraine. The study: lends tentative support to Gopalan’s claim that agreements that exemplify hard legalization are much more sustainable in the long run; stresses the advantages of inclusivity in agreement sustainability and stability; reiterates the importance of addressing the key issues relevant to the conflict if the process is to be sustainable, and; notes the limitations of the legalization framework, but presents the Philippine example as a blueprint for addressing various aspects of the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts.

Originality/value

– This is the first peer-reviewed analysis to explore the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement as a highly legalized conflict resolution instrument, and an adaptable template for peace agreement design generally.
Individual differences impact support for vigilante justice
Authors: McDermott Christine M , Miller Monica K
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between moral disengagement, individual differences (i.e. need for cognition (NFC), faith in intuition, legal authoritarianism) and responses to vigilantism.

Design/methodology/approach

– US university students were surveyed.

Findings

– NFC reduced support for vigilante justice while legal authoritarianism increased support for vigilante justice. Both relationships are mediated by moral disengagement, which also increases support for vigilante justice.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study provides a starting point for further research on individual differences and responses to vigilantism.

Practical implications

– Results expand on the understanding of the function of individual differences in a morally charged decision-making task. Content has implications for academics and legal practitioners.

Originality/value

– Vigilante justice is embedded within American culture. However, vigilantism is currently illegal, and recent instances of what might be considered vigilante justice (e.g. George Zimmerman, David Barajas) have highlighted the controversy surrounding such extralegal violence. Little research has focussed on the moral quandary posed by vigilantism.
Placement experience and learning motivations in higher education
Authors: Gavin James P , Coleman Ian
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Placement-based learning is claimed to benefit educational outcomes in undergraduate programmes, with students gaining employability skills and the application of skill-sets in “real world” situations. Most courses incorporate experiential learning; however, work placements remain exclusive to the aims of the academic programme. The purpose of this paper is to explore the changing learning motivations between students enroled on: a practical-based programme, involving work placement (BA adventure education (Ad Ed)); and a study-based programme (BSc sport and exercise science (SES)). In addition, motivation was examined between courses at each year.

Design/methodology/approach

– A 44 item Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire was completed by first and final year undergraduates studying BA Ad Ed and BSc SES courses in the academic year 2011/2012. Questionnaires were triangulated with focus groups, lecturer observations and statistical analyses.

Findings

– Learning motivation was influenced by: knowledge of academic grades; link between theoretical content and work experience; opportunity for reflection; and multidisciplinary nature of degree programmes. Furthermore, the majority of final year Ad Ed students showed understanding of the job market, degree transferability and career availability upon graduation.

Originality/value

– Where placement experience prepares British undergraduate learners for employment and provides insight into career demand, placements may also demotivate, particularly where careers do not necessitate degree qualification.
Fair value and banking contagion
Authors: Gharbi Leila , Khamoussi Halioui
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore empirically the impact of fair value accounting on banking contagion in a comparative context between Islamic banks and conventional banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of the impact of fair value changes on banking contagion is carried out through a panel data model. This study covers 20 Islamic banks and 40 conventional banks operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during nine years from 2003 to 2011.

Findings

Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant change in dynamic volatility in GCC banking sector because of financial crisis 2008. However, results fail to confirm the hypothesis that fair value accounting is significantly associated with an increase of banking contagion for both Islamic and conventional banks operating in GCC countries.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study provides some insights for academicians, accountants as well as regulators in terms of enhancing the effectiveness of accounting practices.
Measuring environmental performance in hospitals: a framework and process
Authors: Pasqualini Blass Andreia , Gouvea da Costa Sergio E. , Pinheiro de Lima Edson , Borges Lilian Adriana
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new framework to define relevant and meaningful indicators for monitoring and assessing environmental performance to improve health-care systems and operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review followed by field studies conducted with ten hospitals in the southern region of Brazil underlined the scarcity of consistent frameworks applied in practice to measure, monitor and improve environmental performance. A new framework was developed and proposed to address this issue. The proposed framework is operationalized through a “process approach” and evaluated in terms of feasibility (Can the process be followed?), usability (Is the approach easily followed?) and utility (Are the results useful for managers?).

Findings

The paper proposes a framework and a process to evaluate the environmental performance in hospitals.

Practical implications

The proposed framework represents meaningful guidance to managers for strategy formalization, goal setting and environmental performance assessment and monitoring.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a systematic framework for measuring environmental performance in hospitals drawn from the literature review, current legislation and best practices reported in literature.
The role of absorptive capacity in Chinese firms
Authors: Petti Claudio , Zhang Shujun
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to advance and test a multi-dimensional operationalization of absorptive capacity (ACAP) to ascertain its mediating role in the transformation of R&D expenses in actual performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study departs from the conceptualization of ACAP as a reflective higher-order R&D-based construct, by specifying ACAP into its components and using an operationalization that encompasses both R&D and non-R&D measures to perform mediation analysis on a sample of 1,096 Chinese mainland firms.

Findings

This study's findings report evidence of positive but different roles of the components of ACAP, with specific reference to the positive but partial mediating role of realized ACAP between both R&D expenses and potential ACAP on a firm’s performance. Relevant research and practical implications for both management and policymaking are discussed.

Originality/value

The approach to ACAP conceptualization and measurement taken in this study provides empirical support to an often assumed and, incidentally, under-explored relationship. Moreover, it contributes with a multi-dimensional, non-exclusively R&D-based and process-oriented perspective to the analysis of the role played by ACAP in Chinese firms’ R&D effectiveness.
Systemic corporate social responsibility: micro-to-macro transitions, collective outcomes and self-regulation
Authors: Beal Brent D. , Neesham Cristina
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to call attention to the need to revitalize the systemic nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and offer some suggestions about how this might be accomplished. The authors introduce the concept of systemic CSR and associate it with micro-to-macro transitions, the need to make systemic objectives explicit and the responsibility of system participants to regulate their behavior to contribute to these outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors comment, from a systemic perspective, on four different management approaches to CSR – shareholder value, corporate social performance, stakeholder theory and corporate citizenship. Three general systemic principles that participants can use as decision-making guides are a focus on value creation, ongoing assessment of collective outcomes and reflective engagement in the aggregation process.

Findings

The authors observe that businesses routinely demonstrate their ability to think in systemic terms in strategic contexts that require it. If businesses can address systemic issues in these contexts, then they can also apply systemic logic in furtherance of collective (or system-level) objectives.

Originality/value

The authors propose an approach to CSR that emphasizes micro-to-macro transitions, the need to make systemic objectives explicit and the responsibility of system participants to regulate their behavior to contribute to these desired objectives. Systemic CSR is unique in its explicit focus on the micro-to-macro transition (i.e. the process of aggregation), systemic objectives and the need to actively insource responsibility for contribution to the realization of those objectives.
The moderating effect of profitability and leverage on the relationship between eco-efficiency and firm value in publicly traded Malaysian firms
Authors: Osazuwa Nosakhare Peter , Che-Ahmad Ayoib
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of profitability and leverage on the relationship between eco-efficiency and firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

The study extends the Ohlson’s model on value relevance using the hierarchical regression analysis to establish the moderating effects of the firm-specific variables. The sample includes 667 non-financial firms from the Bursa Malaysia, as of 2013. The data for eco-efficiency were extracted from content analysis of the annual report, whereas the financial data were retrieved from the data stream.

Findings

The study provides support for the stakeholder theory that purports that managers must develop a relationship with stakeholders by embarking on environmental friendly practices to maintain a positive firm value. The study shows a positive association between eco-efficiency and the value of the firm and provides support for a positive moderating relationship for profitability in the relationship between eco-efficiency and firm value, whereas there was no significant effect for leverage in the relationship.

Research limitations/implications

It should be noted that, first, the data comprised exclusively Malaysian companies. Including firms from similar developing countries with varying institutional make-up and culture would enhance the understanding of the subject. Second, considering that the data for this study is cross-sectional, it may not be sufficient to draw strong causal influences. The study is the first to the best of the researcher’s knowledge to provide evidence that profitability positively moderates the relationship between eco-efficiency and firm value.

Practical implications

The result shows the management and potential investors that an investment in eco-efficiency will lead to a higher firm value, irrespective of the debt profile of the firm and that profitable firms are more likely to embark on an eco-efficient policy.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence from a developing country’s perspective, as well as extending prior studies that merely examined the direct relationship, to now explore the moderating relationship of profitability and leverage in the relationship between eco-efficiency and firm value using a large sample.
Prospects for the aerospace industry in the Sudan
Authors: Dafa’Alla Adil Ahmed
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of the Sudanese manufacturing sector to the Sudanese economy and assess the role that aerospace industry, in particular, can play as a driver for achieving sustainable development in the Sudan.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviewed and analysed the contribution of the industrial sector to the Sudanese economy based on the comprehensive industrial survey carried out with the assistance of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and United Nations Development Programme in 2001. It then went on to assess the role that aerospace industry can play in improving the contribution of this sector to the Sudanese and regional economy and achieving sustainable development. Evidence from global industrial views, international economic reports and experience of other countries in similar situation as the Sudan was used to support arguments.

Findings

– The Sudanese economy is agriculturally based. A heavy injection of industrialisation of the economy is essential in order to improve the trade balance and help the country out of the poverty zone. The aerospace industry is an important ingredient of the required dose as the global and regional demand is high and the flourishing regional economy is encouraging. The paper argues that building a flourishing aerospace industry as an important element of sustainable development plan for the Sudan is a shared responsibility of good government, quality education and well-guided investment.

Practical implications

– The paper is proposing a practical way to transform the character of the Sudanese economy and help it to set on a sustainable development path that will alleviate poverty and improve the standard of living of its citizens.

Originality/value

– The paper gives critical assessment of the role of the industrial sector in driving the Sudanese economy, which is seriously lacking in the literature. Additionally, the paper introduces building a flourishing aerospace industry in the Sudan as an important ingredient to boost the manufacturing sector, hence, improve the economy, fight poverty and a step towards achieving sustainable development.
Consumers at play: negotiations of identity in a Japanese preschool
Authors: Takahashi Mayumi
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The aim of this article is to explore how young children (five year olds) collectively construct pretend identities with peers in play while using and negotiating consumer knowledge and experiences. Particular attention is given to children’s collaborative transformation of objects, ideas, places and persons, as they occur in the context of pretend play.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from ethnographic fieldwork in a local preschool in Japan. Two classes of five-year-old children (both boys and girls) were observed over four months. The theoretical framework highlights the dynamic and fluid interactional sphere and conversational exchanges through which pretend identities are created, negotiated and expanded.

Findings

In the findings, children’s construction of pretend identities is identified in terms of three characteristic forms of interaction in play: children’s reciprocal immediacy; maintaining and challenging participation; and willingness and collaboration to expand a play theme. Children’s collective construction of pretend identities indicates that playing roles means playing rules.

Originality/value

Through participant observation focusing of children’s perspectives and practices, this study contributes both to childhood studies and consumption studies. It also contributes to insight into how young children in the Japanese preschool experience consumer culture in a specific socio-cultural environment and how they construct peer relationships.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPRB regulates Src phosphorylation and tumour progression in NSCLC
Authors: Qi Yinliang , Dai Yuanchang , Gui Shuyu
Published: June 2016

Protein tyrosine‐phosphatases (PTPs) play important roles in various biological processes. Deregulation in PTP function has been implicated in carcinogenesis and tumour progression in many cancer types. However, the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type B (PTPRB) in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis has not been investigated. Lentiviral vector expressing PTPRB cDNA or shRNA was infected into A549 and H1299 cell lines, followed by cell proliferation, colony formation, soft agar and invasion assays. A549 xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate in vivo function of PTPRB. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure PTPRB expression in NSCLC patient samples. Kaplan Meier analysis was performed to assess association between PTPRB expression and patient overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic significance of PTPRB. Overexpression of PTPRB reduced cell proliferation rate, colony formation efficiency, soft agar growth and cell invasion in A549 and H1299 cells, as well as tumour growth rate in A549 xenograft. Knockdown of PTPRB increased Src phosphorylation and cell invasion, which was reversed by Src inhibitor PP2. Additionally, PTPRB was down‐regulated in NSCLC patient and was associated with patient OS. PTPRB regulates Src phosphorylation and tumorigenesis in NSCLC. PTPRB may serve as an independent prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients.