bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modes of integration of human resource management practices in multinationals
Authors: Belizón María Jesús , Morley Michael J. , Gunnigle Patrick
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine variations in the use of international integration mechanisms across individual human resource management (HRM) practices in MNCs.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing upon data from a sample of over 450 MNC subsidiaries located in Ireland and Spain and an ordinal regression methodology, several models were tested.

Findings

– The findings provide evidence that people, information and formalized-based mechanisms are positively related to the use of centralization-based integration processes. The results also demonstrate that the use of personal-based integration mechanisms is uniform across the suite of individual HRM practices among those MNCs where an international HRM committee is present, while the deployment of expatriates does not prove to be particularly significant in achieving integration across the range of HRM practices examined in the model. Information- and formalization-based mechanisms hold explanatory power in relation to performance appraisal systems and compensation practices.

Research limitations/implications

– Broadening the scope of the analysis the authors offer here, drawn from just two institutional environments, to a broader set of locations may contribute to future research in this area. Further analysis using longitudinal and quantitative methodologies may also prove important in unearthing integration patterns in HRM domain areas.

Originality/value

– This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of the preferred modes of integration across HRM practices in MNC subsidiaries located in two different institutional environments. The authors reveal how modes of integration vary for different HR domain areas and the authors provide explanations for this variation.
LMX and employee voice
Authors: Wang Duanxu , Gan Chenjing , Wu Chaoyan
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of employee psychological empowerment in the leader-member exchange (LMX)-employee voice relationship, and whether role clarity moderated the effect.

Design/methodology/approach

– A paired questionnaire survey was used to collect data by 295 employees and their supervisors from nine firms in the People’s Republic of China.

Findings

– The hypothesized moderated mediation model used in this study was supported. Psychological empowerment mediated the positive relationship between LMX and employee voice, and stronger role clarity tends to strengthen this indirect relationship.

Originality/value

– Few studies have explored the mediating mechanism in the relationship between LMX and employee voice. Based on role theory, this study broadens the research on the LMX-employee voice relationship by introducing employee psychological empowerment as the mediator. This study further explores role clarity as the boundary condition for this indirect relationship.
Are you delivering trans positive care?
Authors: Jones Serena Mackenzie , Willis Paul
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– For the vast majority of cisgendered people who experience alignment between the sex they were assigned at birth, the body they have and their gender identity they are comfortable with (Schilt and Westbrook, 2009), the experience of trans people is a distant one. More of us share an experience of aging and the associated concerns about reduced independence, deterioration of health and increased need for care and support. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– For trans elders, the experience of aging has specific features that have a major impact on their lives if not understood, planned for and responded to appropriately. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study exploring trans peoples experiences, concerns and suggestions for how agencies providing elder care can better meet their expectations (Jones, 2013).

Findings

– The research revealed low confidence in the ability of current aged care services to meet the needs of trans elders due to a limited understanding of the relationship between health and social care specific to trans people; undervaluing the networks in trans people’s lives; the need to demonstrate culturally competent services and real concerns regarding tackling discrimination and abuse. Despite legislative advancements, there was a sense that activism is central to tackling these issues and trans people are articulating their demands for shaping future provision. The research identifies a number of recommendations for care providers and future areas of research.

Originality/value

– In response to identifying an absence of trans voices being heard on the subject of trans elder care, this study sought to understand expectations of services, amplify the voices of the participants and share the priorities they articulated to influence future service design and practice.
Do the companionship and community networks of older LGBT adults compensate for weaker kinship networks?
Authors: Green Marcus
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare the supportive capacity of social networks of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) and heterosexual adults using data from Understanding Society. The principal research objective is to discern whether the companionship and community networks of older LGBT adults compensate for weaker kinship networks.

Design/methodology/approach

– Understanding Society has data on the frequency of interaction with and proximity to family, friends and the wider community to quantify supportive capacity. Bivariate analyses reveal similarities and differences in network supportive capacity between older LGBT and heterosexual adults.

Findings

– The study finds that older LGBT adults have significantly weaker kinship networks than do older heterosexual adults. Further to this, the companionship and community networks of older LGBT adults do not compensate for weaker kinship networks.

Social implications

– In essence, this means that many older LGBT adults have weak social networks which increases the likelihood of receiving little or no social contact and informal support which may have implications for their physical and mental well-being. This could be especially problematic for individuals who have care needs where in the context of England, the provision of state funded social care is patchy.

Originality/value

– This study contributes evidence to an under researched area of social network analysis. Little research has explored the social networks of older LGBT adults compared with older heterosexual adults; specifically the supportive network capacity of different types of network.
The significance of affinity groups and safe spaces for older lesbians and bisexual women: creating support networks and resisting heteronormativity in older age
Authors: Wilkens Jill
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of belonging to a same-sexuality social group or network for older lesbians and bisexual women.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 35 women were interviewed about a range of topics including coming out (or not) in the 1950s and 1960s, their feelings about ageing and their experiences of attending groups for lesbians and bisexual women, now and in the past.

Findings

– The study found that, while the participants had different opinions of groups and their significance, the majority valued the opportunity to meet with other “like-minded” women and enjoyed a range of positive outcomes.

Practical implications

– The nature of the space where such groups are located was significant to many as was the employment of paid leaders, not only to take up the administrative burden but to moderate and prevent cliques from forming.

Social implications

– The research indicates that such groups have an important role to play in alleviating loneliness and promoting positive ageing.

Originality/value

– This research makes an important contribution to the literature about lesbian, gay and bisexual ageing which is frequently focused on gay men. Their feelings about loneliness, the role of social space and groups are often different to those of lesbian and bisexual women such as my participants, particularly those who were at the cutting edge of second-wave feminism.
Learning from international experiences – developing older LGBT affirmative housing and care options in England
Authors: Ross Paul D. S.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to formulate recommendations from international and local examples to aid the design and delivery affirmative housing and care options for older LGBT individuals in England.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper combines a desk-top review conducted by the author with personal views and recommendations for practice by discussing the levers within both the Care Act and Equality Act for greater LGBT participation in the design, delivery and evaluation of housing with care services.

Findings

– The provision of LGBT affirmative housing and care options for individuals in England is currently limited. International and European evidence suggests that multi-faceted, person-centred approaches are central in delivering affirmative services to older LGBT individuals.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to a growing literature on minority housing and care services. The author draws on both a professional and personal interest in facilitating the development of LGBT affirmative services in England.
A selected literature review on the changing role of stakeholders as value creators
Authors: Samant Shridhar M , Sangle Shirish
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the changing role of stakeholders in value creation since the inception of literature on stakeholders and sustainability from 1984 and 1987, respectively until 2015. To understand interrelationships among key terms of stakeholder and sustainability literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper explores the changing role of stakeholders as a source of value creation through extensive literature review by adopting text mining approach. VantagePoint is the tool used to facilitate text mining literature of sustainability and stakeholder and related literature from 1984 to 2015.

Findings

– This paper reveals that the major trends in firm’s approach towards stakeholders has changed over the years from demonstration of compliance in 1984-1994, safeguarding of reputation from 1994 to 2004, to finally co-creating value with stakeholders from the period of 2004-2014.

Research limitations/implications

– There have been extensive literature reviews done on stakeholder and sustainability literature, but only few have studied the integration of stakeholder and sustainability literature. This paper has used a novel approach, i.e. VantagePoint software to analyse the sustainability and stakeholder literature.

Originality/value

– The changing role of stakeholders as a value creator have provided new research avenues in value creation process. The emerging challenge that firms now face is to co-create sustainable value by engaging both internal and external stakeholders.
Radiology and sustainable development
Authors: Elsayed Abdallah Naglaa Mostafa
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the relation between radiology and sustainable development with emphasis on the UK and European countries, and to spotlight its possible application in the developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a review paper where data about sustainable development and radiology are collected from selected journals, websites, articles and conferences, e.g. Royal College of Radiology, European Society of Radiology, World Health Organization and other different radiology societies.

Findings

– Adoption of sustainable diagnostic radiology by many countries in Europe and the UK helps to provide imaging services efficiently and effectively, with simultaneous preservation of the natural resources, patient health and environment much better than before. The developing and underdeveloped countries should follow this knowledge hoping to reach the same goals.

Practical implications

– Limiting the use of radiologic examinations, guide the clinicians to use clinical skills before rushing to radiology examinations will save money, preserve equipment and protect patients from possible radiation hazards. The use of teleradiology will indirectly reduce global warming, and will deliver medical services to poor countries.

Social implications

– Improving the health of people of poor countries will improve their socioeconomic level.

Originality/value

– This paper focuses on the value of applying sustainable development in radiology not only in general medicine.
Assessment of growth status in Saudi hospitals
Authors: Aljaaly Elham Abbas , Khalifa Nahlaa
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the quality and sustainability of dietetic practice in the scope of anthropometry for adolescents at Jeddah hospitals care setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– An evaluation survey to define and critic dietetic practice concerning anthropometric assessment for adolescent group in Jeddah governmental and private operating hospitals with bed capacity of more than 150 beds and has at least four employed dietitians.

Findings

– Only 10 percent of dietitians in Jeddah hospitals are members with the National Saudi Dietetic Association (SDA). Hospitals were mostly following international Standards of Practice (SOP) for anthropometry (60 percent), compared to national standards (10 percent). SOP is not unified or governed by the national organization body. Regularly (80 percent) of the practicing dietitians identify their individual scope of practice, the use of growth charts and reference data in assessing the growth status of their young clients. Similarly to other international countries, sustainability and resilience to all aspects of nutrition and dietetics practice should be ensured and maintained by SDA when guiding and standardizing all practices.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the importance of standardizing the practice of anthropometric assessment among adolescent group. The study is also a call for the SDA to emphasize its role in governing and defining guidelines in all scopes of dietetics practice.
The prevalence of anaemia among Saudi school girls: a comparison of two techniques
Authors: Aljaaly Elham Abbas , Khalifa Nahlaa Abduwahab
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Continuous integration of health screens to investigate and track variations in the students’ healthiness over time is essential. However, the sustainability of this practice remains challenging. The purpose of this paper is to identify the prevalence of anaemia based on haemoglobin (Hb) estimation among Saudi school girls in Jeddah city by examining capillary and venous blood.

Design/methodology/approach

– The design is investigative, using primary data to define the prevalence of anaemia based on two techniques. Samples of venous (n=408) and capillary (n=797) blood from Saudi school girls in Jeddah city was collected and compared using: Reflotron Plus System method (capillary blood) and ABX MICROS 60-OT Automated Haematology Analyser for (venous blood).

Findings

– When the capillary blood was used, the prevalence of anaemia was 40 per cent (n=319 out of 797). Using the venous blood, the prevalence was 29.4 per cent (n=120 out of 408). Comparison of Hb data for both tests showed a significant difference in Hb levels with levels between the 10g and 12 g/dl particularly and both measurements demonstrated good agreement (ICC=0.87, 95 per cent CI (0.845, 0.892)).

Research limitations/implications

– The data were collected only in Jeddah city. Further studies should include a national sample that is representative of both gender from different backgrounds and geographical areas in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Practical implications

– The high prevalence of anaemia within the school girls’ population require decision makers to devise a set of maintainable projects to progress students’ general health, including health education and supplementation such as iron, particularly if anaemia is diagnosed to be nutrition-related. This particularly applied to the health centres at female schools that have anaemia screening programmes that going on in Saudi schools.

Originality/value

– This study reveals a technique-based measures of anaemia prevalence that have public and practical health implications.
An assessment of techniques to manipulate oxidative stress in animals
Authors: Koch Rebecca E. , Hill Geoffrey E.
Published: March 2016

Physiological ecologists require techniques for controlled oxidative challenges in live animals to facilitate the study of oxidative stress.

Techniques for manipulating oxidative stress include agents that increase generation of pro‐oxidants, such as paraquat, diquat, radiation, heavy metals, dietary oxidized lipids, and tert‐butyl‐hydroperoxide, as well as genetic (RNAi) and chemical (buthionine sulfoximine) knock‐downs that target specific antioxidants.

We critically assess both currently used and potentially useful methods for inducing systemic oxidative challenge in animals. We provide a resource for biologists to select the most robust methods for oxidative challenge in their study system, to improve interpretation of results within the context of cellular mechanisms and to maximize effectiveness of experiments while minimizing unintended side effects.

A Lay Summary is available for this article.
Deep massive sulphide exploration using 2D and 3D geoelectrical and induced polarization data in Skellefte mining district, northern Sweden
Authors: Tavakoli Saman , Bauer Tobias E. , Rasmussen Thorkild M. , Weihed Pär , Elming Sten‐Åke
Published: March 2016

Geoelectrical and induced polarization data from measurements along three profiles and from one 3D survey are acquired and processed in the central Skellefte District, northern Sweden. The data were collected during two field campaigns in 2009 and 2010 in order to delineate the structures related to volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits and to model lithological contacts down to a maximum depth of 1.5 km. The 2009 data were inverted previously, and their joint interpretation with potential field data indicated several anomalous zones. The 2010 data not only provide additional information from greater depths compared with the 2009 data but also cover a larger surface area. Several high‐chargeability low‐resistivity zones, interpreted as possible massive sulphide mineralization and associated hydrothermal alteration, are revealed. The 3D survey data provide a detailed high‐resolution image of the top ∼450 m of the upper crust around the Maurliden East, North, and Central deposits. Several anomalies are interpreted as new potential prospects in the Maurliden area, which are mainly concentrated in the central conductive zone. In addition, the contact relationship between the major geological units, e.g., the contact between the Skellefte Group and the Jörn Intrusive Complex, is better understood with the help of 2010 deep‐resistivity/chargeability data. The bottommost part of the Vargfors basin is imaged using the 2010 geoelectrical and induced polarization data down to ∼1‐km depth.
Does primary productivity modulate the indirect effects of large herbivores? A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Daskin Joshua H. , Pringle Robert M.
Published: March 2016

Indirect effects of large mammalian herbivores (LMH), while much less studied than those of apex predators, are increasingly recognized to exert powerful influences on communities and ecosystems. The strength of these effects is spatiotemporally variable, and several sets of authors have suggested that they are governed in part by primary productivity. However, prior theoretical and field studies have generated conflicting results and predictions, underscoring the need for a synthetic global analysis.

We conducted a meta‐analysis of the direction and magnitude of large mammalian herbivore‐initiated indirect interactions using 67 published studies comprising 456 individual responses. We georeferenced 41 of these studies (comprising 253 responses from 33 locations on five continents) to a satellite‐derived map of primary productivity. Because predator assemblages might also influence the impact of large herbivores, we conducted a similar analysis using a global map of large carnivore species richness.

In general, LMH reduced the abundance of other consumer species and also tended to reduce consumer richness, although the latter effect was only marginally significant.

There was a pronounced reduction in the strength of negative (i.e. suppressive, due e.g., to competition) indirect effects of LMH on consumer abundance in more productive ecosystems. In contrast, positive (facilitative) indirect effects were not significantly correlated with productivity, likely because these comprised a more heterogeneous array of mechanisms. We found no effect of carnivore species richness on herbivore‐initiated indirect effect strength.

Our findings help to resolve the fundamental problem of ecological contingency as it pertains to the strength of an understudied class of multitrophic interactions. Moreover, these results will aid in predicting the indirect effects of anthropogenic wildlife declines and irruptions, and how these effects might be mediated by climatically driven shifts in resource availability. To the extent that intact ungulate guilds help to suppress populations of small animals that act as agricultural pests and disease reservoirs, the negative impacts of large mammal declines on human well‐being may be relatively stronger in low‐productivity areas.
Effects of the TWA strategy on expository reading comprehension of students with autism
Authors: Howorth Sarah , Lopata Christopher , Thomeer Marcus , Rodgers Jonathan
Published: March 2016

High‐functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to have significant reading comprehension difficulty. This multiple baseline study examined the effect of the think before reading, think while reading, and think after reading (TWA) strategy on expository text comprehension of four boys with ASD. Following baseline, each student received six sessions of TWA instruction. Data were collected on retell and comprehension question accuracy during the baseline, intervention and maintenance phases. Results supported the effectiveness of TWA as a reading strategy to increase the expository text comprehension of students with ASD. Effects during the intervention phase were immediate and consistent for comprehension questions, with greater variability observed for retell. Data collected at maintenance suggested that the gains were sustained for both comprehension questions and retell.
Parental perspectives on the transition to secondary school for students with Asperger syndrome and high‐functioning autism: a pilot survey study
Authors: Peters Rachel , Brooks Rob
Published: March 2016

The transition to secondary school is a common cause of stress and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by the innate characteristics associated with Asperger syndrome (AS) and high‐functioning autism (HFA). This study aimed to explore experiences of the transition to secondary school for students with AS/HFA from the parental perspective. Seventeen parents of children with AS/HFA from the north of England completed an online questionnaire about their child's school transitional experience. Responses indicated that there were a number of factors that influenced the experiences of pupils with AS/HFA at school and the preceding transition, including anxiety, bullying, friendship and support at school. Girls with AS/HFA presented with unique issues not commonly seen in the male dominated condition. The transition to secondary school was seen to encompass a number of difficulties for students with AS/HFA. Health and educational services can learn from the experiences explored in this survey in order to inform future practice.
Benchmarking of surgical complications in gynaecological oncology: prospective multicentre study
Authors: Burnell M , Iyer R , Gentry‐Maharaj A , Nordin A , Liston R , Manchanda R , Das N , Gornall R , Beardmore‐Gray A , Hillaby K , Leeson S , Linder A , Lopes A , Meechan D , Mould T , Nevin J , Olaitan A , Rufford B , Shanbhag S , Thackeray A , Wood N , Reynolds K , Ryan A , Menon U
Published: March 2016

Objective

To explore the impact of risk‐adjustment on surgical complication rates (CRs) for benchmarking gynaecological oncology centres.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Ten UK accredited gynaecological oncology centres.

Population

Women undergoing major surgery on a gynaecological oncology operating list.

Methods

Patient co‐morbidity, surgical procedures and intra‐operative (IntraOp) complications were recorded contemporaneously by surgeons for 2948 major surgical procedures. Postoperative (PostOp) complications were collected from hospitals and patients. Risk‐prediction models for IntraOp and PostOp complications were created using penalised (lasso) logistic regression using over 30 potential patient/surgical risk factors.

Main outcome measures

Observed and risk‐adjusted IntraOp and PostOp CRs for individual hospitals were calculated. Benchmarking using colour‐coded funnel plots and observed‐to‐expected ratios was undertaken.

Results

Overall, IntraOp CR was 4.7% (95% CI 4.0–5.6) and PostOp CR was 25.7% (95% CI 23.7–28.2). The observed CRs for all hospitals were under the upper 95% control limit for both IntraOp and PostOp funnel plots. Risk‐adjustment and use of observed‐to‐expected ratio resulted in one hospital moving to the >95–98% CI (red) band for IntraOp CRs. Use of only hospital‐reported data for PostOp CRs would have resulted in one hospital being unfairly allocated to the red band. There was little concordance between IntraOp and PostOp CRs.

Conclusion

The funnel plots and overall IntraOp (≈5%) and PostOp (≈26%) CRs could be used for benchmarking gynaecological oncology centres. Hospital benchmarking using risk‐adjusted CRs allows fairer institutional comparison. IntraOp and PostOp CRs are best assessed separately. As hospital under‐reporting is common for postoperative complications, use of patient‐reported outcomes is important.

Tweetable abstract

Risk‐adjusted benchmarking of surgical complications for ten UK gynaecological oncology centres allows fairer comparison.
Quality of oxytocin available in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Torloni MR , Gomes Freitas C , Kartoglu UH , Metin Gülmezoglu A , Widmer M
Published: March 2016

Background

Oxytocin is the drug of choice for preventing and treating postpartum haemorrhage, an important cause of maternal death. Oxytocin is widely available in low and middle‐income countries (LMIC) but there are concerns about its quality.

Objective

To identify, critically appraise and synthesise the findings of studies on the quality of oxytocin available in LMIC.

Search strategy

We searched seven electronic databases, without language restriction.

Selection criteria

Studies reporting results of tests to assess quality of oxytocin samples from LMIC.

Data collection and analysis

Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. Results are presented descriptively.

Main results

The search identified 2611 unique citations; eight studies, assessing 559 samples from 15 different countries were included. Most samples were collected from facility level settings (n = 509) and from the private sector (n = 321). The median prevalence of oxytocin samples that failed quality tests was 45.6% (range 0–80%), mostly due to insufficient amounts of active pharmacological ingredient. Over one‐third of the samples (n = 204) had low (<90%) oxytocin content indicating substandard medicine; two samples had no active ingredient, suggesting possible counterfeit drugs. The proportion of low fails was higher in samples collected in Africa than in Asia or Latin America (57.5% versus 22.3% versus 0%, respectively, P < 0.0001), in private than in public sectors (34.0% versus 25.3%, P = 0.032) and in facilities than in central distributors (37.9% versus 22.0%, P = 0.030).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of poor‐quality oxytocin samples in LMIC countries, mainly due to inadequate amounts of active ingredient.

Tweetable abstract

Systematic review points to problems with quality of oxytocin samples from low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Tourism and wetland conservation: application of travel cost and willingness to pay an entry fee at Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, Nepal
Authors: Lamsal Pramod , Atreya Kishor , Pant Krishna Prasad , Kumar Lalit
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the need and applicability of wetland tourism for resource conservation, using the case of Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, a Ramsar Site in western Nepal. The travel cost method (TCM) was used to determine the recreation potential of the lake complex, while the contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to calculate willingness of visitors to pay an entry fee as a payment vehicle for conservation. The per capita travel cost was found to be NPR 540 (US $7.71), while the mean willingness to pay an entry fee was NPR 34 (US $0.48) per visitor per entry. In addition, factors affecting wetland visitation rates and maximum willingness to pay were identified. Policy implications include the establishment of an entry fee system to offset conservation budgetary constraints, government investment in social benefits equating to at least per capita travel cost identified, and public‐private partnerships, with community participation in tourism promotion and wetland conservation.
Growing media constituents determine the microbial nitrogen conversions in organic growing media for horticulture
Authors: Grunert Oliver , Reheul Dirk , Van Labeke Marie‐Christine , Perneel Maaike , Hernandez‐Sanabria Emma , Vlaeminck Siegfried E. , Boon Nico
Published: March 2016

Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy food diet, however, the eco‐sustainability of the production of these can still be significantly improved. European farmers and consumers spend an estimated €15.5 billion per year on inorganic fertilizers and the production of N‐fertilizers results in a high carbon footprint. We investigated if fertilizer type and medium constituents determine microbial nitrogen conversions in organic growing media and can be used as a next step towards a more sustainable horticulture. We demonstrated that growing media constituents showed differences in urea hydrolysis, ammonia and nitrite oxidation and in carbon dioxide respiration rate. Interestingly, mixing of the growing media constituents resulted in a stimulation of the function of the microorganisms. The use of organic fertilizer resulted in an increase in amoA gene copy number by factor 100 compared to inorganic fertilizers. Our results support our hypothesis that the activity of the functional microbial community with respect to nitrogen turnover in an organic growing medium can be improved by selecting and mixing the appropriate growing media components with each other. These findings contribute to the understanding of the functional microbial community in growing media and its potential role towards a more responsible horticulture.
Success Rates for Notification of Enrollment in Exception From Informed Consent Clinical Trials
Authors: Brienza Ashley M. , Sylvester Raeanne , Ryan Christopher M. , Repine Melissa , DiFiore Sara , Barone Jean , Callaway Clifton W.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Exception from informed consent (EFIC) for research in emergency settings requires investigators to notify enrolled subjects, family members, or legally authorized representatives about inclusion in the study. We examined the success rate of a notification strategy including mail services for subjects enrolled in EFIC trials.

Methods

We describe notification attempts for subjects in three out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest clinical trials in both urban and rural areas around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, between the years 2000 and 2014. We examined the time required to notify subjects and the success of contacting subjects or their representatives when notified in person (if alive), by mail (if alive and unable to reach in person), or by mail (if the subject was deceased). We characterized comments received from subjects or their representatives as positive, neutral, or negative.

Results

We attempted notification on a total of 1,912 subjects, 1,762 by mail, and 163 in person. Of these, 1,767 (92%) notification forms were successfully delivered, and 431 (24%) were signed and returned. Only 16 subjects or representatives (0.91%) requested to withdraw from the study. In‐person notifications were more likely to be signed than mailed notifications (69% vs. 20%; p < 0.001). A total of 3.2% of recipients contacted investigators by phone or letter in response to notifications, but only five recipients expressed negative attitudes toward the trial. Ninety percent of subjects were notified within 35 days of the incident. Time to notification was shorter for in person (median = 5 days, interquartile range [IQR] = 2 to 10 days) than for deceased and mailed (11 days, IQR = 8 to 14 days) or alive and mailed (20 days, IQR = 14 to 29 days).

Conclusions

It is possible to successfully notify recipients of enrollment in a study using EFIC over 90% of the time within 35 days, although only 24% of recipients will sign and return a form. Fewer than 1% of subjects withdraw from the study, and fewer than 5% contact investigators, usually for neutral reasons.
Exploratory study of collaborative behaviour in gaming and interactions of students in Second Life
Authors: Olasina Gbolahan
Published: March 2016

The current research is conducted in the context of Second Life (SL) users in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. The research uses the Symbolic Interactionism Theory (SIT), a social science based theory as theoretical framework to underpin it and help inform the research. The overriding purpose is to analyze evidence of collaborative behaviour in the contexts of gaming, entertainment and socializing to support further exploitation of SL and overall improvement in the gaming experiences of users. The paradigmatic framework chosen is the interpretivist. The research design is a qualitative description. The population is made up of 20 matriculation students. The research uses focus group and interviews. In addition, reliability is considered before and after data collection by trustworthiness using criteria such as credibility, transferability and an audit trail. The methods of analysis involve reading of interview and focus group transcripts, developing own codes, coding the data and examining the patterns and themes using thematic analysis. The research is significant as it uses the SIT theory to improve the understanding of collaborative behaviour in the context of SL. The key results suggest that the SL can support not only collaboration but building citizenship and national identity.
(Un)stable vertical collusive agreements
Authors: Gabszewicz Jean J. , Zanaj Skerdilajda
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we extend the concept of stability to vertical collusive agreements involving downstream and upstream firms, using a setup of successive Cournot oligopolies. We show that a stable vertical agreement, the unanimous vertical agreement involving all downstream and upstream firms, always exists. Thus, stable vertical collusive agreements exist even for market structures in which horizontal cartels would be unstable. We also show that there are economies for which the unanimous agreement is not the only stable one. Furthermore, the Stigler statement according to which the only ones who benefit from a collusive agreement are the outsiders need not be valid in vertical agreements.
Trade liberalization and credit constraints: Why opening up may fail to promote convergence
Authors: Peters Katrin , Schnitzer Monika
Published: March 2016

This paper examines credit constraints as one channel held responsible for hampering economic convergence between countries. Specifically, we extend a Melitz and Ottaviano type trade model with variable mark‐ups to allow for endogenous technology adoption. We consider a framework with two countries that potentially differ with respect to credit market development. Firms have the option to adopt a more efficient technology by paying some fixed cost that is more costly to finance for financially constrained firms. We find that technology adoption increases in both countries after trade liberalization but more so in the financially more developed country: the productivity gap widens. Simulations show that the welfare gap widens too. Opening up without sufficient access to external funding thus fails to promote convergence.
Product quality and firm heterogeneity in international trade
Authors: Gervais Antoine
Published: March 2016

This paper quantifies the separate contributions of product quality and technical efficiency in explaining variation in export outcomes across US manufacturing plants. Unlike previous studies that rely on unit values, I estimate idiosyncratic demand from price and quantity information. I find substantial across‐plant heterogeneity in demand, and consistent with the quality interpretation, demand is positively correlated with advertising expenditures, wage rates and material costs. I use this variation to explain across‐plant heterogeneity in export outcomes. The results show that, in addition to productivity, idiosyncratic demand is an important determinant of selection into exporting and the levels of foreign sales.
Assessment of the needs of mothers and primary healthcare providers to support early childhood development in Egypt: a qualitative study
Authors: Elgibaly O. , Aziz M. M.
Published: March 2016

Background

The early childhood period is considered the most important developmental phase in an individual's lifespan. However, it is not addressed in the Egyptian health system. We aimed to explore mothers' and healthcare providers' perceptions about early childhood development (ECD) and identify their needs to support ECD in Egypt.

Methods

Focus group discussions with 79 mothers of children younger than 2 years old from different socio‐economic backgrounds and residing in urban and rural areas and 26 primary healthcare providers were used to collect data. Emerging themes and subthemes were identified from the data analysis.

Results

Urban and rural mothers in Egypt of all educational levels are not well prepared to support their children's early development, especially the cognitive and emotional aspects. Limited sources of information about ECD, the large families of rural women and an absence of developmental health services and family support were the most important factors that led to a neglect of mother–child communication and stimulation.

Conclusion

Raising community awareness and training primary healthcare providers to counsel mothers about ECD are important prerequisites for supporting ECD in Egypt. Rural and first‐time mothers would be the most valuable starting point.
A New View of Language Development: The Acquisition of Lexical Tone
Authors: Singh Leher , Fu Charlene S. L.
Published: March 2016

Research in first language development draws disproportionately from nontone languages. Such research is often presumed to reveal developmental universals in spite of the fact that most languages are tone languages. Recent research in the acquisition of tone languages points to a distinct course of development as compared to nontone languages. Our purpose is to provide an integrated review of research on lexical tone acquisition. First, the linguistic properties and origins of tone languages are described. Following this, research on the acquisition of tones in perception and production is reviewed and integrated. Possible reasons for the uniqueness of tone in language acquisition are discussed. Finally, theoretical advances promised by further research on tone acquisition and specific research directions are proposed.
A 6‐year Follow‐up survey of health status in middle‐aged women with Turner syndrome
Authors: Fjermestad Krister W. , Naess Eva E. , Bahr David , Gravholt Claus H.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Studies suggest younger women with Turner syndrome (TS) have good quality of life. Less is known about everyday functioning in adults with TS. In a 6‐year follow‐up study, multiple areas of functioning were compared between TS women and controls. Design: Women with TS and controls were mailed a self‐report survey 6 years after a baseline study.

Patients

Fifty‐seven women with TS (M age 40·6 ± 11·1 years) and 101 controls (M age 38·8 ± 10·6 years, ns) responded.

Measurements

Measures of background information, experienced life strain and presence/impact of health conditions were developed for this study. The QPS Nordic measured perceived workload challenges. The LiSat‐9 measured life satisfaction. The Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale measured self‐esteem.

Results

More TS women lived alone, fewer had biological children, and more had adoptive children. TS women reported fewer sex partners and less sexual confidence. Controls had higher education. There was no difference in employment status. More TS women received disability pensions. TS women reported their work as more physically challenging, less positively challenging and requiring less knowledge skills. TS women experienced more life strain in school, adolescence and late working life. Controls reported higher overall life satisfaction, with no difference between samples on specific domains. TS women reported lower self‐esteem. For TS women only, physical health at baseline predicted length of education and mental health at baseline predicted self‐esteem.

Conclusions

Women with TS face more challenges than controls on several domains of functioning. Early physical and mental health may influence later educational achievement and self‐esteem for women with TS.
Dental implant surface chemistry and energy alter macrophage activation in vitro
Authors: Hotchkiss Kelly M. , Ayad Nancy B. , Hyzy Sharon L. , Boyan Barbara D. , Olivares‐Navarrete Rene
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To determine the effects of dental implant surface chemistry and energy on macrophage activation in vitro.

Materials and Methods

Disks made from two clinically used implant materials (titanium [Ti], titanium zirconium alloy [TiZr]) were produced with two different surface treatments (sandblast/acid‐etch [SLA], hydrophilic‐SLA [modSLA]). Surface roughness, energy, and chemistry were characterized. Primary murine macrophages were isolated from 6‐ to 8‐week‐old male C57Bl/6 mice and cultured on test surfaces (Ti SLA, TiZr SLA, Ti modSLA, TiZr modSLA) or control tissue culture polystyrene. mRNA was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction after 24 h of culture. Pro‐ (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐4, IL‐10) protein levels were measured by ELISA after 1 or 3 days of culture.

Results

Quantitatively, microroughness was similar on all surfaces. Qualitatively, nanostructures were present on modSLA surfaces that were denser on Ti than on TiZr. modSLA surfaces were determined hydrophilic (high‐energy surface) while SLA surfaces were hydrophobic (low‐energy surface). Cells on high‐energy surfaces had higher levels of mRNA from anti‐inflammatory markers characteristic of M2 activation compared to cells on low‐energy surfaces. This effect was enhanced on the TiZr surfaces when compared to cells on Ti SLA and Ti modSLA. Macrophages cultured on TiZr SLA and modSLA surfaces released more anti‐inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

The combination of high‐energy and altered surface chemistry present on TiZr modSLA was able to influence macrophages to produce the greatest anti‐inflammatory microenvironment and reduce extended pro‐inflammatory factor release.
The policy and practices of New South Wales drug treatment providers in responding to the possession of illicit substances on premises
Authors: Stirling Robert , Day Carolyn
Published: March 2016

Introduction and Aims

Responding to possession of illicit substances on the premises of drug treatment services is a complex issue. Providers are challenged by balancing duty‐of‐care and staff safety while attempting to provide a therapeutic environment. This study assessed the current policy and practice of non‐government drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia in responding to possession of illicit substances on their premises.

Design and Methods

Non‐government drug treatment services were invited to participate in a survey that aimed to elicit information about existing policy and practices and how often it occurred. Analysis explored the differences between services that had a written policy and those that did not against service setting, accreditation status, reporting of an illicit drug possession in the last 12 months and having a sharps disposal unit.

Results

Fifty‐one responses were included in the analysis, 29 (57%) of which reported having a policy and/or procedure. There was no statistically discernible difference between inpatient and outpatient settings, accreditation status of services or availability of a sharps disposal unit on the premises. However, services that reported a possession incident in the previous 12 months were more likely to report having a written policy than those that did not (37% vs. 12%; odds ratio: 4.75, 95% confidence interval 1.32–17.11, P = 0.014).

Discussion and Conclusions.

The policy and practice in these settings vary greatly, with many services reporting no documented policy to guide staff. The findings suggest the need to develop organisational policy to support service providers in responding to possession of illicit substances on premises. [Stirling R, Day C. The policy and practices of New South Wales drug treatment providers in responding to the possession of illicit substances on premises. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:644‐649]
Cannabis policy and the uptake of treatment for cannabis‐related problems
Authors: Adam Christian , Raschzok Andreas
Published: March 2016

Introduction and Aims

We examine public health effects of steps towards more permissive cannabis policies introduced in Belgium, Finland, France and Portugal between 1999 and 2004. Public health effects are captured in terms of cannabis‐induced treatment uptake as reported by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Design and Methods

We use a quasi‐experimental difference‐in‐differences design drawing on observational data.

Results

While the number of clients with primary cannabis problems per reporting treatment unit has generally increased, this increase does not seem to be substantially stronger in the countries that introduced more permissive cannabis policies.

Discussion and Conclusions

The specific reforms carried out in the group of reforming countries can thus not be shown to have had adverse effects on public health in terms of treatment uptake.