bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESD principles in higher education from a perspective of Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Dlouhá Jana , Vintar Mally Katja , Dlouhý Jiří
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect education for sustainable development (ESD) principles and their manifestation in higher education (HE) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries which share a similar policy situation owing to post-socialist transition processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Observations from comprehensive mapping of ESD in professional development of university educators in CEE within the University Educators for Sustainable Development project provided the initial input for this research. To justify the findings, a questionnaire was distributed among informed respondents and assessed qualitatively. ESD success factors were identified to support the interpretation of the results within the overall HE policy context.

Findings

Opportunities for educators’ competence development are lower and less diverse in the CEE region than in other parts of Europe. Historical reasons and the policy context may contribute to this situation; the most important factor being the underfinanced HE sector which is currently undergoing profound structural transformation.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of respondents is not representative; they are informed experts in ESD. The results are of an illustrative nature; different sources of information are combined to draw a broad picture.

Social implications

University educators in CEE have considerable know-how and experience in ESD and thus represent significant potential for the development of this field under more favourable conditions.

Originality/value

This research is based on more than two years of cooperation within a broad partnership of European universities; it represents a contribution to the debate from a specific regional perspective. It shows opportunities for critical, creative and participatory approaches in HE, analyses current trends in historical and policy contexts and provides impulses for theoretically and practically oriented efforts.
Reorienting higher education pedagogical and professional development curricula toward sustainability – a Romanian perspective
Authors: Dumitru Daniela Elena
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper tries to propose a pedagogical training program starting from the Romanian mandatory curriculum for higher education (HE) teachers, integrating education for sustainable development (ESD) competencies (UNECE, 2012) through infusion as a technique of curricular design dealing with cross-curricular subject integration. The purpose of this paper is to show how new ESD competencies can be implemented and integrated into the existent curricular formulations and how the current state of affairs can be improved and set toward sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design is utilized, using desk research, content analysis, case study and, as validation for the new curriculum, structured interviews with key experts. First, an assessment of the quality of the Romanian HE pedagogical training program will be presented based on teaching quality assessments from international rankings. Second, integration of ESD competencies into the existing pedagogical professional development program, through a curriculum design, will be proposed.

Findings

The present Romanian teacher training curriculum does not nurture ESD competencies, and it does not have this purpose at all. However, it can be affirmed that this curriculum is in accordance with the newest pedagogical theories. It will be shown (through curriculum design) that it is possible to infuse ESD competencies into the present curriculum without many costs. The present architecture of the teacher training system can be described as a good practice example concerning HE professional development or as an alternative that is worthy to be taken into consideration for other countries with similar educational systems or by countries/universities that believe that pedagogical training addressing ESD should be completed early in one’s teaching career.

Research limitations/implications

As a general rule, many generalizations cannot be made based on qualitative research. Case studies have their limitations: they provide in-depth research on particular situations, and only some of their findings can be extrapolated. All HE curricula represent a particular vision and are all perfectible and subject to debate. The author hopes to have provided sufficient cause for the proposed curriculum.

Practical implications

The new curriculum has clear and practical implications, providing the answer to the question “how can we make pedagogical training better?”. Infusing ESD into the present teacher training program constitutes a practical solution, which carries great social impact.

Originality/value

A new curricular architecture is proposed, a new perspective on the efficiency of pedagogical training, in general, is taken into account and, as a good practical example, the present research is a token of inspiration.
Exploring the living learning laboratory
Authors: Zen Irina Safitri
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to explore and analyse the potential of campus living learning laboratory (LLL) as an integrated mechanism to provide the innovative and creative teaching and learning experiences, robust research output and strengthening the campus sustainability initiatives by using the sustainability science approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The challenge to adopt sustainability science as an interdisciplinary approach juxtaposed against the structure, teaching and learning of single disciplinary approach in institution of higher education (IHE). The LLL approach can be one of the options on how the integrative teaching and learning, combination fundamental and applied research and campus operations should conduct to strengthen the implementation of campus sustainability.

Findings

The review of application of LLL from several campus sustainability and combining with the experiences in conducting the UTM Campus sustainability results the strategic operational mechanism of the integration process.

Research limitations/implications

The LLL approach which applies the sustainability science approach did not cover the challenges and issue related to the inter-, inter- and trans-disciplinary during the campus LLL application. Further study needs to be conducted to strengthen the fundamental approach to developing campus LLL as one approach to operationalizing the Sustainable Development agenda in IHE.

Practical implications

The experiences and findings produces from this study help other campus sustainability to articulate the benefits of campus LLL initiatives, anticipate implementation challenges in teaching and learning, research output and the operation. The problem-solving nature of sustainability science provides a platform for implementing campus sustainability initiatives which allow inter-, inter- and trans-disciplinary approach for a more synergize effort of a real case study and project based approach.

Social implications

Furthermore, the implementation of LLL challenges the researcher/academia to provide prompt response as part of societal learning process in strengthening applied-based research as well as to contribute to the fundamental research. Successful LLL approach require both top-down commitments from the top management of the university and bottom-up drive from interested faculty, core research themes, operations and students.

Originality/value

The integrative framework and operational mechanism to operate LLL in campus sustainability which resulted from the analysis taken from several universities that implement campus sustainability is the origin values of significant contribution from this study.
Intellectual capital management and power mobilisation in a seaport
Authors: Vale José , Ribeiro João Alves , Branco Manuel Castelo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the management of collective intellectual capital (CIC) occurs in a seaport through the actions of the network coordinator.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was conducted in a seaport, focusing on the actions taken by a network coordinator – a port authority – to develop the seaport’s CIC. The seaport is conceptualised as a meta-organisation, composed by interdependent actors which may possess different interests and different levels of power.

Findings

Evidence suggests that the mobilisation of different dimensions of power, in both coercive and non-coercive ways, is needed to promote a higher level of collaboration. Indeed, by mobilising non-coercive dimensions of power, the network coordinator can foster a sense of community within the meta-organisation, grounded in a trust-based collective culture that can potentiate collaboration, and thus allow the attainment of a more “sustainable” type of CIC.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the validity of the interpretations provided by the case study, generalisation of this study should only be conducted in a theoretically framed manner.

Practical implications

The findings can provide network coordinators with a better understanding of the consequences of using different dimensions of power to leverage its intangible assets and enhance the meta-organisation’s performance.

Originality/value

The paper focus on the IC management of a specific type of meso-level unit, which possess some particular characteristics of its own: a seaport. Also, the paper aims to fill a gap in literature regarding the management of different dimensions of power and its effects over IC creation.
A model of mobile technologies acceptance for knowledge transfer by employees
Authors: Kuciapski Michal
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Although mobile devices are ubiquitous among employees, their awareness and readiness to use mobile technologies for competence development is still not widespread and therefore requires further exploration. The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to explain the determinants that affect employees’ intention to use mobile devices and software for knowledge transfer during the process of knowledge management.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model based on the UTAUT with new variables concerning relative usability (RU) and user autonomy (UA) and new connections between the determinants was developed as a result of a subject matter literature review. A structural equation modelling approach was used to validate the model on the basis of data collected via a survey collected from 371 employees from 21 sectors, both public and private.

Findings

The UTAUT model extended by new variables like RU and UA explains employee acceptance of mobile technologies for knowledge transfer reasonably well. New proposed variables highlighted that the usability of technology compared to other solutions and user autonomy in the selection and the use of applications have the strongest impact on the employees’ intention to use mobile devices and software for knowledge transfer.

Research limitations/implications

This model explains the 55 per cent behavioral intention of employees to use mobile technologies for knowledge transfer. Even though it is quite high in terms of acceptance theories, some new variables should be explored. Furthermore, study does not verify whether m-learning acceptance for knowledge transfer is sector-specific.

Practical implications

Mobile technologies used for knowledge transfer by employees should allow for high UA through their ability to select solutions that they find convenient, use of preferred platforms, personalize applications and utilize devices and software in various environments. They should not be simplified and should have the same functionality and efficiency of use as alternative solutions like web and desktop applications, even if additional effort to learn them would be required. Mobile technologies that take into account UA and RU support the process of employees capturing, distributing and effectively using knowledge.

Originality/value

The elaborated model provides a valuable solution with practical implications for increasing mobile technologies acceptance for knowledge transfer. The study results contribute both to knowledge management and technology acceptance research fields by introducing two new determinants for the acceptance of technologies in knowledge transfer, such as UA and RU with several additional connections between existing UTAUT variables.
Predicting consumer pro-environmental behavioral intention
Authors: Bhuian Shahid , Sharma Sujeet Kumar
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of religiosity in consumer pro-environmental behavioral intention (CPEBI). Consumer pro-environmental value, knowledge, concern and attitude predict CPEBI; however, previous findings are neither consistent about their predictabilities nor clear about the order of importance of these predictors. Further, while religiosity has the potential to affect values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors, its role in CPEBI research has been neglected.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from a sample of 306 respondents from Oman, an Islamic country with mostly Muslim consumers, and analyzed using a neural network model.

Findings

This study finds that the most important predictors of CPEBI, in order of importance, are attitude, concern, knowledge, religiosity and value. Further, results indicate that religiosity moderates the impacts of, in order of importance, attitude, value, concern and knowledge on CPEBI.

Research limitations/implications

Both businesses and policy makers can prioritize intervention strategies according to the importance of the predictors and can leverage faith-based messages and programs for promoting CPEBI toward creating a better environment for all.

Originality/value

Determining the predictabilities of psychological factors and their interactions with religiosity to predict CPEBI in Islamic countries is necessary for promoting environmentally friendly products in Islamic countries and for reducing the ecological damage to the environment.
Robust inference on large‐scale species habitat use with interview data: The status of jaguars outside protected areas in Central America
Authors: Petracca Lisanne S. , Frair Jacqueline L. , Cohen Jonathan B. , Calderón Ana Patricia , Carazo‐Salazar Javier , Castañeda Franklin , Corrales‐Gutiérrez Daniel , Foster Rebecca J. , Harmsen Bart , Hernández‐Potosme Sandra , Herrera Luis , Olmos Melva , Pereira Sandy , Robinson Hugh S. , Robinson Nathaniel , Salom‐Pérez Roberto , Urbina Yahaira , Zeller Kathy A. , Quigley Howard
Published: July 2017

Evaluating range‐wide habitat use by a target species requires information on species occurrence over broad geographic regions, a process made difficult by species rarity, large spatiotemporal sampling domains and imperfect detection. We address these challenges in an assessment of habitat use for jaguars (Panthera onca) outside protected areas in Central America.

Occurrence records were acquired within 12 putative corridors using interviews with knowledgeable corridor residents. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical occupancy model to gain robust inference, allowing for heterogeneity introduced in the sampling process over space and time, using records of jaguar occurrence prone to false positives and false negatives.

Probability of false detection of jaguars increased with the number of interviews conducted per unit (from 5.42% to 7.74% given <4 and ≥4 observers per unit). True probability of detection (p = 0.58) increased with the number of days interviewees spent in a survey unit per year. Failing to account for false positives biased predicted habitat use high (c. 1.8×), especially where occurrence records were sparse.

Probability of site use by jaguars increased with greater forest cover, prey richness, and distance from human settlements, and decreased with greater agricultural cover, elevation, and distance from protected areas. Site use probabilities averaged 0.15–0.97 by corridor, providing relatively fine‐scale resolution of predicted jaguar occurrence consistent with known patterns of jaguar gene flow across Central America.

Model validation, accounting for both false positives and negatives in the observation process, indicated moderate correspondence between model‐predicted observations and actual observations for withheld data (0.65, 95%CRI0.59–0.71), with sensitivity and specificity rates of 0.69 (0.61–0.77) and 0.59 (0.50–0.68), respectively. These results demonstrate that reliable predictions can be achieved despite the complexity of large‐scale, interview‐based analyses of species occurrence.

Synthesis and applications. Our Bayesian hierarchical occupancy model accommodated heterogeneity caused by typical sampling inequities and idiosyncrasies associated with interview data, yielding robust estimates of jaguar habitat use. Our approach is applicable to any wide‐ranging and readily identifiable species and has particular utility for rare species in human‐dominated landscapes where traditional survey techniques (e.g. camera traps) may be impractical.
Research as resistance and solidarity: ‘spinning transformative yarns’‐ a narrative inquiry with women going on from abuse and oppression
Authors: Salter Leah
Published: July 2017

In this paper I set out the methodological framework for, and offer some emerging themes from, my ongoing narrative inquiry with women who have experienced abuse and oppression. The paper positions research as an act of resistance and solidarity and highlights the transformative nature of systemic group work and of narrative inquiry. The emergent themes of ‘power’, ‘transparency’ and ‘personal and collective transformation’ are brought forth from the conversations within the narrative inquiry. The process of which included three stages of conversational inquiry (with women I have co‐facilitated groups with and with women who were part of groups I co‐facilitated), followed by a five‐stage analysis of the transcribed conversations, the design and process of which is briefly described. There is reference to how women ‘go on’ after abuse and oppression and after being with other women in a ‘transformative’ group context. Extracts from the conversations I have been part of are interwoven with my own reflections, that form part of the rich tapestry of a narrative inquiry and are part of a story of transformation, solidarity and resistance.

Practitioner points

Narrative inquiry offers a frame for meaning making through the telling and re‐telling of stories

Insider research is viewed as a generative and transformative process for all involved, including the ‘researcher’

Transparency within practice/research is put forward as an act of resistance, bringing less visible stories of resourcefulness into the light

Research as solidarity is a joint movement towards social justice, contributing to ‘better social worlds’
A Rapid, Confirmatory Test for Body Fluid Identification,
Authors: Young Stephanie T. , Moore Joshua R. , Bishop Clifton P.
Published: July 2017

We have developed a technique that allows investigators to confirm the presence of blood, semen, and/or saliva in a crime scene sample. It is a confirmatory test where multiple samples can be processed in less than an hour, and it is potentially portable, permitting samples to be processed at the crime scene. Samples at a scene giving a positive result can be further processed while those failing to do so may be ignored. There is a large and growing backlog of DNA evidence in the USA, slowing down the criminal justice system. This backlog has continued to grow despite an increase in the ability to process evidence faster. This technique uses quantum dot molecular beacons to test for tissue‐specific RNA species, identifying particular body fluids. We have demonstrated the tissue specificity of molecular beacons for blood, semen, and saliva.
Identification of Bodies by Unique Serial Numbers on Implanted Medical Devices
Authors: Blessing Melissa M. , Lin Peter T.
Published: July 2017

Visual identification is the most common identification method used by medical examiners but is not always possible. Alternative methods include X‐ray, fingerprint, or DNA comparison, but these methods require additional resources. Comparison of serial numbers on implanted medical devices is a rapid and definitive method of identification. To assess the practicality of using this method, we reviewed 608 consecutive forensic autopsies performed at a regional medical examiner office. Of these, 56 cases required an alternative method of identification due to decomposition (n = 35), gunshot wound (n = 9), blunt trauma (n = 6), or charring (n = 6). Of these 56 cases, eight (14.3%) were known to have an implanted medical device. Of these eight cases, five (63%) could be positively identified by comparing serial numbers. If an implanted medical device is known to be present, and medical records are available, identification by medical device serial number should be a first‐line method.
Moral foundations tell us why guilt induces unfair allocation in multi‐party interactions
Authors: Feng Qiudi , Xu Yan , Xu Ruijie , Zhang Enhan
Published: July 2017

Previous studies have demonstrated that a sense of guilt promotes and maintains social fairness in two‐party interactions (Psychological Bulletin, 115, 1994 and 243). However, the situation is much more complex in three‐party or multi‐party interactions. De Hooge et al. (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 2011 and 462) found that guilt could not only induce pro‐social behaviour towards the victim, but also have a disadvantageous impact on a third party. In the present study, we attempt to explain how guilt promotes unfair allocations from a moral foundations perspective. We conducted two experiments using a ‘three‐party dictator game’ paradigm. Firstly, it was repeatedly verified that guilt could induce unfair allocations in three‐party interactions. Secondly, five moral foundations (harm, fairness, ingroup, hierarchy and purity) were measured. Then the moderating and main effects of these five indices on how guilt affects the fair allocation of resources were explored using regression analysis. The results show that competition between harm and fairness in individual traits can explain the disadvantageous effect of guilt on fair allocations: the fairness foundation promoted equality in allocation, while the harm foundation promoted victim compensation.
Psychosis from an Attachment Perspective
Authors: Brown Kate
Published: July 2017

This paper examines how attachment theory has informed understanding of psychosis and has the potential to improve practice working with those who have accrued a diagnosis of psychosis. The treatment of psychosis is placed in its historical context, and commentary is made about the current treatments of those with psychosis and possible future developments. A psychoanalytic perspective is explored, and concern about the apparent colonization of the social and psychological by the biological expressed. Differing understanding and explanations of psychotic symptoms are explored and the predominance of biological explanations of the aetiology of psychosis is questioned. A brief description of attachment theory is given, before concluding how attachment theory informs understanding of psychosis and the implications for treatment.
The Gender Deficit: Everyday Practices of Differentiation in the Chilean Labour Market
Authors: MORA CLAUDIA , BLANCO OSVALDO
Published: July 2017

We focus on the reproduction of gender inequality in the labour market, analysing everyday practices of social boundary demarcation that exclude women from accessing resources at work. We argue that women's diminished position in the labour market – or gender deficit – is a result of taken‐for‐granted, day‐to‐day practices, conditioning the distribution of resources. Taking Chilean professional women as a case study, we focus on labour market practices that uphold gendered evaluation criteria, reproduce social classifications, and engender exclusion through social boundary work that limits women's access to labour market benefits and rewards.
Contrasting sirtuin and poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase activities of selected 2,4,6‐trisubstituted benzimidazoles
Authors: Yeong Keng Yoon , Tan Soo Choon , Mai Chun‐Wai , Leong Chee‐Onn , Chung Felicia Fei‐Lei , Lee Yean Kee , Chee Chin Fei , Abdul Rahman Noorsaadah
Published: July 2017

Both sirtuin and poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase (PARP) family of enzymes utilize NAD+ as co‐substrate. Inhibitors of sirtuins and PARPs are important tools in drug discovery as they are reported to be linked to multiple diseases such as cancer. New potent sirtuin inhibitors (2,4,6‐trisubstituted benzimidazole) were discovered from reported PARP inhibitor scaffold. Interestingly, the synthesized compounds have contrasting sirtuin and PARP‐1 inhibitory activities. We showed that modification on benzimidazoles may alter their selectivity toward sirtuin or PARP‐1 enzymes. This offers an opportunity for further discovery and development of new promising sirtuin inhibitors. Molecular docking studies were carried out to aid the rationalization of these observations. Preliminary antiproliferative studies of selected compounds against nasopharyngeal cancer cells also showed relatively promising results.
The effect of routine radiological reporting of thyroid incidentalomas on rates of thyroid needle biopsy, thyroid surgery and detection of thyroid malignancy
Authors: Sinnott J. D. , Mortimer R. , Smith J. , Skelton E. , Drinkwater K. , Lipscomb D. , Howlett D. C.
Published: July 2017

Objective

This study looked at the effect of a changing radiology reporting policy to routinely review the thyroid gland where visible and report on any thyroid lesion, recommending further investigation as appropriate.

Context

Incidentaloma is a term used to describe a lesion found on imaging unrelated to the clinical issue under investigation. There is variability in the radiological reporting of thyroid incidentalomas and conflicting recommendations as to how these lesions should be managed.

Design

Data were collected retrospectively during a two‐year period, including 12 months before and 12 months after the change in reporting policy and categorized according to whether the lesion under investigation was a thyroid incidentaloma or a symptomatic thyroid lesion.

Patients

All patients undergoing ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology or core biopsy were included.

Measurements

The effects of the change in policy were analysed including rates of needle biopsy, rates of malignancy and subsequent surgical intervention.

Results

There was a 122% increase in thyroid incidentalomas undergoing needle biopsy, the majority of these were detected on computed tomography. The number of malignancies increased from 1 to 4 from year 1 to year 2. All patients were >35 years old. One patient had a positron emission tomography (PET)‐detected cancer, two of four of the non‐PET‐detected malignancies were <1.5 cm.

Conclusion

This study posits that routine radiological reporting of thyroid incidentalomas, with further investigation when clinically appropriate, is warranted. The results suggest that lesion size and CT characteristics are not reliable criteria to triage patients for investigation/biopsy.
NAT model–based compression of Bayesian network CPTs over multivalued variables
Authors: Xiang Yang , Jiang Qian
Published: July 2017

Nonimpeding noisy‐AND tree (NAT) models offer a highly expressive approximate representation for significantly reducing the space of Bayesian networks (BNs). They also improve efficiency of BN inference significantly. To enable these advantages for general BNs, several technical advancements are made in this work to compress target BN conditional probability tables (CPTs) over multivalued variables into NAT models. We extend the semantics of NAT models beyond graded variables that causal independence models commonly adhered to and allow NAT modeling in nominal causal variables. We overcome the limitation of well‐defined pairwise causal interaction (PCI) bits and present a flexible PCI pattern extraction from target CPTs. We extend parameter estimation for binary NAT models to constrained gradient descent for compressing target CPTs over multivalued variables. We reveal challenges associated with persistent leaky causes and develop a novel framework for PCI pattern extraction when persistent leaky causes exist. The effectiveness of the CPT compression is validated experimentally.
On a simple method for testing independencies in Bayesian networks
Authors: Butz Cory J. , dos Santos André E. , Oliveira Jhonatan S. , Gonzales Christophe
Published: July 2017

Testing independencies is a fundamental task in reasoning withBayesian networks(BNs). In practice,d‐separationis often used for this task, since it has linear‐time complexity. However, many have had difficulties understanding d‐separation in BNs. An equivalent method that is easier to understand, calledm‐separation, transforms the problem from directed separation in BNs into classical separation in undirected graphs. Two main steps of this transformation are pruning the BN and adding undirected edges.

In this paper, we proposeu‐separationas an even simpler method for testing independencies in a BN. Our approach also converts the problem into classical separation in an undirected graph. However, our method is based upon the novel concepts of inaugural variables and rationalization. Thereby, the primary advantage of u‐separation over m‐separation is that m‐separation can prune unnecessarily and add superfluous edges. Our experiment results show that u‐separation performs 73% fewer modifications on average than m‐separation.
Optimal data aggregation tree in wireless sensor networks based on improved river formation dynamics
Authors: Mehrjoo Saeed , Khunjush Farshad
Published: July 2017

The restricted energy of nodes is one of the most important challenges in wireless sensor networks. Since data transmissions among nodes consume most of the nodes' energy, thus, minimizing the unnecessary transmissions reduces the consumed energy. One of the sources of this problem is the redundancy of raw data that can be eliminated at the aggregation points. As a result, data aggregation can be considered as an effective strategy to tackle the mentioned issue and to optimize the communication energy consumption. In this paper, the sensor nodes are organized in a tree structure, and the data aggregation are done in intermediate nodes at the junction of tree branches. One of the main characteristics of tree protocols is reduction of energy consumption through optimizing the structure of a data aggregation tree. For this, this paper proposes to apply a swarm intelligent algorithm named river formation dynamics. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms in comparison to the famous ant colony optimization algorithm in terms of network lifetime. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm makes nearly 4% and 50% improvement in lifetime of wireless sensor networks than ant colony optimization and shortest path routing, respectively.
Social Capital and Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from Chinese Provinces
Authors: Xiong Ailun , Westlund Hans , Li Hongyi , Pu Yongjian
Published: July 2017

The impact of social capital on economic development has been broadly studied by scholars. However, research in the Chinese context is relatively rare. Drawing upon data from the China General Social Survey, our results suggest that the enhancing effect of social capital on total factor productivity is very limited in the case of China. The network dimension of social capital is significant only in pooled OLS estimations, and trust as well as the participation dimension of social capital exert no impact across all estimations. Our interpretation is that this is partly due to the fact that trust, values and norms formed in civil society are inherently difficult to transmit to the market sector. Besides, the impact of social capital on economic performance is undermined when physical capital plays a significant role in production. We therefore propose that the effect of social capital on economic performance is contingent on localized social and economic conditions.
Insights into optimal basal insulin titration in type 2 diabetes: Results of a quantitative survey
Authors: Berard Lori , Bonnemaire Mireille , Mical Marie , Edelman Steve
Published: July 2017

Aims

Basal insulin (BI) treatment initiation and dose titration in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are often delayed. Such “clinical inertia” results in poor glycaemic control and high risk of long‐term complications. This survey aimed to determine healthcare professional (HCP) and patient attitudes to BI initiation and titration.

Methods

An online survey (July–August 2015) including HCPs and patients with T2DM in the USA, France and Germany. Patients were ≥18 years old and had been on BI for 6 to 36 months, or discontinued BI within the previous 12 months.

Results

Participants comprised 386 HCPs and 318 people with T2DM. While >75% of HCPs reported discussing titration at the initiation visit, only 16% to 28% of patients remembered such discussions, many (32%–42%) were unaware of the need to titrate BI, and only 28% to 39% recalled mention of the time needed to reach glycaemic goals. Most HCPs and patients agreed that more effective support tools to assist BI initiation/titration are needed; patients indicated that provision of such tools would increase confidence in self‐titration. HCPs identified fear of hypoglycaemia, failure to titrate in the absence of symptoms, and low patient motivation as important titration barriers. In contrast, patients identified weight gain, the perception that titration meant worsening disease, frustration over the time to reach HbA1c goals and fear of hypoglycaemia as major factors.

Conclusion

A disconnect exists between HCP‐ and patient‐perceived barriers to effective BI titration. To optimize titration, strategies should be targeted to improve HCP–patient communication, and provide support and educational tools.

Video Abstract

A free Video Abstract to accompany this article is available at: https://player.vimeo.com/video/239644085.
Growth rate adjustment of two Drosophila parasitoids in response to the developmental stage of hosts
Authors: KOHYAMA TETSUO I. , ONIZAWA KOTA , KIMURA MASAHITO T.
Published: July 2017

1. Generalist koinobiont parasitoids often exhibit high flexibility in their development; their larvae shorten or prolong the developmental period depending on the host quality at parasitisation. However, flexibility of the growth rate of parasitoid larvae has rarely been investigated so far.

2. This study investigated how the koinobiont parasitoid wasps Asobara japonica and Leptopilina ryukyuensis regulate their larval growth when they parasitise host Drosophila larvae with varying larval periods.

3. In both parasitoid species, the preimaginal period was longer when they parasitised 1‐day‐old larvae of Drosophila rufa than when they parasitised older larvae of D. rufa or when they parasitised larvae of Drosophila simulans, a species with a shorter larval period than D. rufa. After host pupariation, A. japonica accelerated its growth, thereby showing a biphasic growth curve. On the other hand, L. ryukyuensis did not accelerate its growth after host pupariation.

4. Growth retardation of parasitoid larvae in 1‐day‐old D. rufa larvae would contribute to avoiding excess growth before host pupariation, because the excess growth of parasitoid larvae would have negative effects on host growth. The growth rate acceleration of A. japonica after host pupariation suggests that they enhance resource utilisation in a host that has reached maximum body mass. It remains uncertain as to why L. ryukuensis does not show clear accelerated growth after host pupariation. Nonetheless, these results suggest that parasitoid larvae have the ability to detect the developmental stage of hosts in a species‐specific manner.
Tracking salience in young people: A psychometric field test of the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI)
Authors: Raballo Andrea , Cicero David C. , Kerns John G. , Sanna Sara , Pintus Mirra , Agartz Ingrid , Pintus Elisa , Corrias Irene , Lai Veronica , Petretto Donatella Rita , Carta Mauro G. , Preti Antonio
Published: July 2017

Aim

To explore the prevalence of Aberrant Salience (AS, an alleged experiential feature of psychosis‐proneness) in Italian young people and corroborate the transcultural validity of the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI).

Methods

Young adults attending an Italian university (n = 649) underwent serial evaluations with the ASI together with psychometric proxies for help seeking General Health Questionnaire and attenuated positive and negative symptoms Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The distribution of ASI scores was explored with latent class analysis (LCA).

Results

Reliability of the Italian version of the ASI (I‐ASI) was acceptable for all subscales (ordinal alpha >.70). Concurrent validity was in the expected direction, with higher correlations with measures of attenuated positive symptoms vs negative symptoms of psychosis (Steigers’ z test, P < .005 in all comparisons). LCA identified three classes, with 217 (33.4%) participants in the “high aberrant salience” class. Gender and age were not related to class membership. Compared to the baseline class, SPQ scores in the schizotypy range were more likely in the “high aberrant salience” class (OR = 39.1; 95%confidence interval: 5.30–288.1).

Conclusion

AS is a relatively common experience among Italian young people. The study also confirmed the validity of field‐testing ASI as a tool for the real‐world characterization of people with vulnerability to psychosis, such as symptomatic help seekers with clinical high‐risk states.
Assumption Hunting in Groundwater Modeling: Find Assumptions Before They Find You
Authors: Peeters Luk J. M.
Published: July 2017

Article impact statement: Assumption hunting actively seeks out all assumptions made during modeling and discusses their impact on predictions in plain English.
Accessing support and empowerment online: The experiences of individuals with diabetes
Authors: Brady Ellen , Segar Julia , Sanders Caroline
Published: July 2017

Context

The use of the internet for health information by those with long‐term conditions is growing. It has been argued that this represents a form of empowerment by patients, as it enables them to control the content and flow of the information available to them. To explore this, the use of online discussion groups by those with diabetes was examined.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants with type 1 and 2 diabetes and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were recruited via online and offline routes, namely discussion boards, newsletters, and research networks related to diabetes.

Results

By drawing on the advice, information, and support shared online, participants were empowered to position themselves as active participants in their own health care and to further engage with health‐care professionals.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that forums can play a valuable role in aiding and motivating individuals in the daily management diabetes and highlight how this support is used to complement formal health services. However, more work needs to be carried out to determine to explore when and under what circumstances online support may be particularly beneficial to those with long‐term conditions.
Army Soldiers and Suicidal Thoughts: The Impact of Negative Relationship Dynamics Moderated by the Dissolution of Romantic Relationships
Authors: Love Heather A. , Durtschi Jared A. , Ruhlmann Lauren M. , Nelson Goff Briana S.
Published: July 2017

Suicide among United States active‐duty Army soldiers rapidly increased over the past two decades. Using a sample of 322 soldiers from the Army STARRS study, the researchers examined if romantic relationship factors (i.e., hostile disagreements and relationship distress) were linked with suicidal thoughts in Army soldiers, and if these associations were moderated by a recent separation or divorce. Hostile disagreements and relational distress were both significantly associated with higher rates of suicidal ideation. These associations were significantly amplified in magnitude when in the context of a recent separation or divorce. Implications include novel assessment, prevention, and treatment efforts focused on romantic relationships that may reduce the likelihood of soldiers experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Social Policies and Center-Right Governments in Argentina and Chile
Authors: Niedzwiecki Sara , Pribble Jennifer
Published: July 2017

Latin America's “left turn” expanded cash transfers and public services, contributing to lower poverty and inequality. Recently, right-leaning candidates and parties have begun to win back seats in the legislature, and in some cases have captured the executive branch. This shift has sparked debate about the future of Latin America's welfare states. This article analyzes social policy reforms enacted by two recent right-leaning governments: that of Sebastián Piñera in Chile (2010–14) and Mauricio Macri in Argentina (2015–). It finds that contrary to neoliberal adjustment policies of the past, neither Macri nor Piñera engaged in privatization or deep spending cuts. Instead, both administrations facilitated a process of policy drift in some sectors and marginal expansion in others. Policy legacies and the strength of the opposition help to explain these outcomes, suggesting that Latin America's political context has been transformed by the consolidation of democracy and the experience of left party rule.
Compensating citizens for poor service delivery: Experimental research in public and private settings
Authors: Thomassen Jean Pierre , Leliveld Marijke C. , Van de Walle Steven , Ahaus Kees
Published: July 2017

After a service failure, citizens expect a recovery strategy that restores perceived justice and places a reasonable value on their loss. Offering monetary compensation is a strategy commonly used in private settings, but less so in public settings. To date, compensation effects have not been researched in public settings. To investigate citizens’ evaluations of perceived justice, negative emotions and post‐recovery satisfaction we used a 2 (sector: public, private) by 2 (compensation promised: yes, no) by 2 (compensation offered: yes, no) factorial between‐subjects experimental design (student sample), and replicated this in a second study (US citizens sample). Results showed that compensation leads to similar positive effects in public and private settings, confirming earlier private setting research that applied justice theory. Explicitly promising compensation prior to a service encounter had no effect. However, promising compensation and not offering it led to decreased citizens’ evaluations, which confirms expectancy disconfirmation theory.
Exploring frontline work in China
Authors: Zang Xiaowei , Musheno Michael
Published: July 2017

This study of the state frontline workforce breaks new ground by conducting an institutional analysis of rule abidance in the People's Republic of China (PRC). We draw upon a survey (n = 1,721) of Chengguan officers, the main players in regulatory enforcement of civil law in urban China, to explore the influence of autocratic one‐party rule on the meaning of and variation in rule abidance in China. The majority of Chengguan officers are rule followers, and demographic differences show little deviation from this norm. However, institutional factors associated with one‐party rule, particularly upward accountability, the privilege of administrative rank, and unequal access to power and resources, are significant in shaping differences in rule following among Chengguan officers. We conclude with a discussion of the similarities in institutional pressures on urban regulatory policing in China and the United States.
Bureaucratic accountability in third‐party governance: Experimental evidence of blame attribution during times of budgetary crisis
Authors: Piatak Jaclyn , Mohr Zachary , Leland Suzanne
Published: July 2017

With the rise of third‐party government, the lines between the sectors have blurred as has accountability. Public service delivery failures can erode government legitimacy and trust, but who do citizens blame when something goes wrong? To answer this question, we employ an experiment to see whether citizens hold local governments and private contractors equally accountable for service delivery failure. We also examine how they expect the employees to be held accountable. Results demonstrate that blame is attributed to those providing the service directly. However, the introduction of a budget shortfall lessens the blame assigned to the contractor, and implicates the city even when the service is provided indirectly through a contract. Finally, citizens are less in favour of terminating the employment of both public and contract employees under budget shortfalls. Findings suggest that if citizens are given information about the context and who is in control of the service, they attribute blame accordingly.
Priming and context effects in citizen satisfaction surveys
Authors: Hjortskov Morten
Published: July 2017

Citizen satisfaction surveys are used extensively throughout the public sector to assess the performance of public services and to inform decision‐makers. Recent research points to cognitive biases that may occur in citizens’ perceptions of performance of public services, but we know little about possible biases in the collection of these data. This shortcoming is addressed by investigating the priming and context effects that can arise from the structure of citizen surveys—for example, from the question order in the survey. Two independent experimental studies find that prior positively framed questions about police services affect subsequent satisfaction evaluations of other local public services. However, an informational prime about crime and unrelated questions about family‐life satisfaction have little effect on the subsequent satisfaction evaluations. The results show that citizen evaluations of public services can be influenced by irrelevant context effects, but this may depend on the topics of prior questions.
Do English mental health services know whether they followed N.I.C.E. guidelines with patients who killed themselves?
Authors: Geekie Jim , Read John , Renton Julia , Harrop Christopher
Published: July 2017

Freedom of Information Act requests sent to 51 NHS mental health providers in England showed an average of 20.5 suicides per organization. Only one provider, however, could report how many people that had killed themselves had been offered N.I.C.E. recommended psychological therapy. Information that might prevent suicides is being ignored.

Practitioner points

Mental health services need, urgently, to develop data systems that can inform clinical team leaders about gaps in their services to suicidal people in their care

Clinical psychologists have a particular responsibility to pressure managers to effectively monitor the provision of evidence‐based treatments to suicidal people

Trusts and commissioners must be aware of, and rectify, any failings of their services in relation to the prevention of suicide