bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supply chain flexibility in dynamic environments
Authors: Rojo Araceli , Stevenson Mark , Lloréns Montes Francisco Javier , Perez-Arostegui Maria Nieves
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between environmental dynamism and supply chain flexibility (SCF) and to evaluate if two dynamic capabilities, i.e. operational absorptive capacity (OAC) and organisational learning (OL), are necessary competences for firms to develop such a responsive supply chain strategy as flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypothesised relationships are tested with survey data from 302 Spanish manufacturing firms using structural equations modelling.

Findings

Environmental dynamism is positively associated with both OAC and OL, and both dynamic capabilities enable SCF. The authors also find that the relationship between environmental dynamism and SCF is partially mediated by both dynamic capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the literature, for example, by determining when it is advantageous to develop SCF, by specifying what capabilities a firm needs to develop to align SCF with the environment, and by opening the black box that is the relationship between the environment and SCF.

Practical implications

Managers should develop SCF via OAC and OL when they detect a high degree of environmental dynamism. Knowing when this is necessary relies on a good understanding of the environment. OAC is found to be a stronger enabler of SCF than OL. The findings provide managers with an insight into why some firms are able to develop more effective responses to dynamic environments than others.

Originality/value

This study is one of only a limited number of studies that adopt a dynamic capabilities approach to supply chain management. Prior literature has shown that dynamic capabilities can aid in developing strategic, structural, and operational flexibility. The authors extend this literature by showing that OAC and OL have an effect on SCF.
Effects of absorptive capacity, trust and information systems on product innovation
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhao Xiande , Lyles Marjorie
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the mechanisms through which absorptive capacity (AC), trust and information systems jointly influence product innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a research model to examine the mediating role of AC on the impacts of trust and information systems on product innovation and the moderating roles of trust and information systems on the relationship between AC and product innovation. The hypotheses are empirically tested using regression and bootstrapping methods and data collected from 276 manufacturing firms in China.

Findings

This study finds that trust and information systems positively affect product innovation and the effects are fully mediated by AC. AC also significantly enhances product innovation, and the effect is amplified by trust as well as information systems. In addition, the results show that trust and information systems improve AC both individually and interactively.

Originality/value

The findings extend existing knowledge on the antecedents of AC and the contingent conditions under which a manufacturer’s AC is more effective than that of its rivals. The results also clarify the mechanisms through which trust and information systems improve product innovation. This study provides insights into the complex relationships among a manufacturer’s sociotechnical systems, knowledge management processes and new product development, and reveals how to design organisational systems to fully capitalise the value of AC on product innovation.
Narcissistic business leaders as heralds of the self-proclaimed excellence
Authors: Anninos Loukas N.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the relation of narcissism to leadership in business contexts and presents its impact on specific organizational variables, which are crucial for the pursuit of excellence. Narcissism constitutes a personality trait which is considered responsible for both positive and negative behavioral outcomes that impact decisions and actions.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach, by which this paper is structured, is theoretical and has been based on a literature review regarding narcissism (and more specifically, narcissistic leadership) in business contexts.

Findings

Narcissism can have positive (mainly in the short term) and/or deleterious effects both for the individual and the organization. The self-proclaimed excellence of narcissists results from a combination of their beliefs about their extreme intelligence, abilities and leadership and their high motives for reassuring their supremacy. However, the behavior of narcissistic leaders impacts various organizational parameters which are preconditions for organizational excellence.

Research limitations/implications

The study at hand can be used as an input for further research on the effects of narcissism on quality performance variables.

Practical implications

The behavior of narcissists (and its positive and/or negative consequences) should be evaluated in relation to any specific organizational context and circumstances.

Originality/value

The study examines narcissistic leadership and attempts to examine its implications for factors that are crucial for the achievement of organizational excellence.
The potential of service-dominant logic as a tool for developing public sector services
Authors: Westrup Ulrika
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and discuss the potential of the service-dominant logic (SDL) as a tool for developing more effective public sector services in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

One case concerning a public sector service organization has been studied – a contact centre in a Swedish municipality. The material consists of descriptions of managers’ and co-workers’ experiences of how day-to-day operations are performed to manage services provided to citizens. The material has been gathered via interviews and focus group interviews.

Findings

The study found that SDL has something to offer as a tool. SDL indicates that the distinctive features of different kinds of services, the exchange of knowledge and the dependency between actors do not have a high priority in the day-to-day work done at the contact centre. However, SDL cannot actually guarantee that public services will be more effective without including the politicians.

Research limitations/implications

The findings only originate from one organization. No service users have participated.

Practical implications

When using SDL as a tool for developing public sector services, the role of the politician is crucial. Public service managers must therefore find ways of including politicians in the service system as important and committed actors.

Originality/value

SDL, in the context of public sector services, has only previously been studied to a very limited degree empirically.
The impact of strong and balanced organizational cultures on firm performance
Authors: Polychroniou Panagiotis , Trivellas Panagiotis
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between organizational culture and performance. It concerns the aspects of culture related to culture strength and unbalance and its impact on introvert and extrovert firm performance, controlling for business environment and size.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the competing values model (CVM), culture strength is measured as the intensity of the culture values driving the company. The cultural unbalance is measured by the sum of absolute deviations of organizational members’ culture perceptions across the four archetypes (adhocracy, clan, hierarchy and market) imposed by CVM from the individual “average” shared cultural value. Evidence is drawn upon a sample of 1,305 employees of 114 Greek firms.

Findings

The findings indicate a strong positive relationship between culture strength and internal performance (innovation competence and human relations) as well as firm outcomes (profitability, growth and reputational assets). On the contrary, culture unbalance exerts a negative influence to market position, growth and innovation competence.

Practical implications

Understanding the nature of the association between culture strength, unbalance and firm performance would enable academics and practitioners to reflect critically on the core culture values which shape employee involvement and formulate leaders’ quality improvement decisions and actions, so as to achieve sustainable competitive advantage at the organizational level.

Originality/value

This research provides supporting empirical evidence for the culture–performance link by identifying the principle culture value characteristics (strength and unbalance), which exert both direct and interaction effects on the introvert and extrovert aspects of firm performance.
When lock-ins impede value co-creation in service
Authors: Svingstedt Anette , Corvellec Hervé
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the relevance of identifying lock-ins that characterise a service, showing how lock-ins or impediments reinforce the status quo and prevent change. It provides an understanding of the factors hindering the development of value co-creation in this service.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on 19 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the Swedish waste management industry. It focusses on the difficulties that waste management companies encounter when they try to collaborate with their industrial customers to develop waste prevention services.

Findings

Four lock-ins that impede collaborative ways of working are identified: a business model based on short-term transactions rather than long-term relationships, a low level of self-confidence among waste managers regarding their competence to offer waste prevention services, non-supportive legal and economic institutional factors and existing waste processing infrastructures.

Research limitations/implications

Based on a case of waste services and to provide a better understanding of the rationale of value co-creation, this paper points to the generic relevance of investigating situations in which value co-creation encounters difficulties.

Practical implications

The authors identify the fact that lock-ins impeding value co-creation can act as a roadmap for the development of new services.

Originality/value

By focusing on a case of unsuccessful value co-creation, the paper offers a counterpoint to cases of successful value co-creation.
Design and analysis of a climbing robot for pylon maintenance
Authors: Lu Xiaolong , Zhao Shiping , Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Yishu
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and development of “Pylon-Climber II”, a 5-DOF biped climbing robot (degree of freedom – DOF) for moving on the external surface of a tower and assisting the electricians to complete some maintenance tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces a pole-climbing robot, which consists of a 5-DOF mechanical arm and two novel grippers. The gripper is composed of a two-finger clamping module and a retractable L-shaped hook module. The robot is symmetrical in structure, and the rotary joint for connecting two arms is driven by a linear drive mechanism.

Findings

The developed prototype proved a new approach for the inspection and maintenance of the electricity pylon. The gripper can reliably grasp the angle bars with different specifications by using combined movement of the two-finger clamping module and the retractable L-shaped hook module and provide sufficient adhesion force for the Pylon-Climber II.

Practical implications

The clamping experiments of the gripper and the climbing experiments of the robot were carried out on a test tower composed of some angle bars with different specification.

Originality/value

This paper includes the design and development of a 5-DOF biped climbing robot for electricity pylon maintenance. The climbing robot can move on the external surface of the electric power tower through grasping the angle bar alternatively. The gripper that is composed of a two-finger gripping module and a retractable L-shaped hook module is very compact and can provide reliable adhesion force for the climbing robot.
An underwater robot with self-adaption mechanism for cleaning steel pipes with variable diameters
Authors: Fan Jinchang , Yang Canjun , Chen Yanhu , Wang Hansong , Huang Zhengming , Shou Zhicheng , Jiang Ping , Wei Qianxiao
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present an underwater climbing robot for wiping off marine life from steel pipes (e.g. jackets of oil platforms). The self-adaption mechanism that consists of a passive roll joint and combined magnet adhesion units provides the robot with better mobility and stability.

Design/methodology/approach

Adhesion requirements are achieved by analyses of falling and slipping. The movement status on pipes is analyzed to design the passive roll joint. The optimized structure parameters of the combined magnet adhesion unit are achieved by simulations. An approximation method is established to simplify the simulations conditions, and the simulations are conducted in two steps to save time effectively.

Findings

The self-adaption mechanism has expected performance that the robot can travel on pipes in different directions with high mobility. Meanwhile, the robot can clean continuous region of underwater pipes’ surface of offshore platforms.

Practical implications

The proposed underwater robot is needed by offshore oil platforms as their jackets require to be cleaned periodically. Compared with traditional maintenance by divers, it is more efficient, economic and safety.

Originality/value

Due to the specific self-adaption mechanism, the robot has good mobility and stability in any directions on pipes with different diameters. The good performance of striping attachments from pipes makes the underwater robot be a novel solution to clean steel pipes.
Maintenance performance measurement – a case of the sugar industry
Authors: Gandhare Balasaheb Shahaji , Akarte Milind M. , Patil Pradip P.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical investigation of maintenance performance (MP) management practices from the sugar industry in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data for this study were collected through field visits, interviews and published reports. Statistical methods including correlation, multiple regression and cluster analysis are utilized to accomplish the objective of the study.

Findings

Explanation with multiple regression analysis showed that the sugar industry MP is significantly and positively related to maintenance approach (MA), continuous improvement (CI), financial approach and spare part management (SPM). Cluster analysis showed that sugar industries focusing on MA, CI and policy development and organization are having higher MP. The cluster analysis also pointed out that there is a substantial variation in MP due to the type of ownership (private and cooperative) while no variation has been observed due to installed capacity (low and high).

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of the results obtained in this work for the sugar industry can be possible through a larger sample size.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the better understanding of maintenance measures in the sugar industry and provides insights on the role of maintenance managerial practices in enhancing the MP.

Originality/value

The findings provide empirical evidence that maintenance practices across the sugar industry are important to improve MP.
Cash or cashless?
Authors: Dinh Van Son , Nguyen Hoang Viet , Nguyen The Ninh
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the factors which influence consumer adoption of mobile payments. It also proposes strategic initiatives including integrated marketing communications to enhance and promote consumer adoption of such a mode of payments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on the case of an emerging economy, Vietnam.

Findings

The key motivators of using mobile payment services include perceived usefulness, convenience, promotional offers, and social approval. In contrast, major barriers to consumer adoption of this mode of payment are lack of trust, limited opportunities for usage, complexity, and habits associated with cash payment.

Practical implications

Mobile payment service providers and their partners should make every effort to improve their consumers’ experience. Their marketing communication strategies should incorporate various consumer contact points such as the internet, social media, point-of-purchase communications, TV commercials, and product placement and endorsement.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first of its kind which provides insights on consumer adoption of mobile payments in Vietnam. Hence, it would be of interest to consumers and also to key stakeholders such as mobile payment providers, financial institutions, retailers, telecommunication companies, and policymakers.
Soil temperature effects on the structure and diversity of plant and invertebrate communities in a natural warming experiment
Authors: Robinson Sinikka I. , McLaughlin Órla B. , Marteinsdóttir Bryndís , O'Gorman Eoin J.
Published: January 2018

Global warming is predicted to significantly alter species physiology, biotic interactions and thus ecosystem functioning, as a consequence of coexisting species exhibiting a wide range of thermal sensitivities. There is, however, a dearth of research examining warming impacts on natural communities.

Here, we used a natural warming experiment in Iceland to investigate the changes in above‐ground terrestrial plant and invertebrate communities along a soil temperature gradient (10°C–30°C).

The α‐diversity of plants and invertebrates decreased with increasing soil temperature, driven by decreasing plant species richness and increasing dominance of certain invertebrate species in warmer habitats. There was also greater species turnover in both plant and invertebrate communities with increasing pairwise temperature difference between sites. There was no effect of temperature on percentage cover of vegetation at the community level, driven by contrasting effects at the population level.

There was a reduction in the mean body mass and an increase in the total abundance of the invertebrate community, resulting in no overall change in community biomass. There were contrasting effects of temperature on the population abundance of various invertebrate species, which could be explained by differential thermal tolerances and metabolic requirements, or may have been mediated by changes in plant community composition.

Our study provides an important baseline from which the effect of changing environmental conditions on terrestrial communities can be tracked. It also contributes to our understanding of why community‐level studies of warming impacts are imperative if we are to disentangle the contrasting thermal responses of individual populations.
A qualitative study of specialist schools’ processes of eliciting the views of young people with autism spectrum disorders in planning their transition to adulthood
Authors: Fayette Rainart , Bond Caroline
Published: January 2018

Government legislation and research literature highlight the importance of the participation of pupils with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in planning for their transition to adulthood. However, effective processes which enable their participation are under‐researched. In this study, nine teaching staff from two specialist schools in the north‐west of England were interviewed and a transition meeting was observed in one school to explore these processes. Analyses indicate that in both schools, enabling the participation of young people with ASD in the planning for their transition to adulthood involves three phases and is underpinned by a person‐centred ethos. Although the processes were perceived to be effective, the participation of pupils varied between schools. Final decisions still tend to be made by schools and the local authority due to limited external resources. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Morphine and pholcodine‐specific IgE have limited utility in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis to benzylisoquinolines
Authors: Rose M. A. , Anderson J. , Green S. L. , Yun J. , Fernando S. L.
Published: January 2018

Background

Investigation of immediate hypersensitivity reactions in the perioperative setting involves skin testing and measurement of specific IgE (sIgE) as standard practice. In the case of the neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), the main allergenic epitopes have been shown to be substituted ammonium groups. Commercial assays are available for detection of sIgE to these epitopes using morphine and pholcodine substrates but questions have been raised about the effectiveness of these assays in the diagnosis of benzylisoquinoline anaphylaxis. This study was therefore undertaken to assess the effectiveness of these assays in the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to this group of NMBAs.

Methods

Analysis was carried out on all available results for patients assessed at the Royal North Shore Hospital Anaesthetic Allergy Clinic during the period June 2009 to June 2016. Standardised intradermal skin tests were performed with a panel of NMBAs. Measurement of sIgE to morphine and pholcodine was performed via the Phadia ImmunoCAP® system.

Results

For all patients with positive skin test results to NMBAs which included a benzylisoquinoline NMBA (n = 24), 75% exhibited negative sIgE to both morphine and pholcodine. Where patients were reactive to benzylisoquinoline NMBAs alone (n = 12), 100% exhibited negative sIgE results, indicating 0% sensitivity of the assays relative to skin testing, in this subgroup.

Conclusion

Use of sIgE testing to morphine and pholcodine in the assessment of NMBA immediate hypersensitivity is a valuable tool particularly in the case of reactions to the aminosteroid NMBAs. However, these assays are unreliable in detecting sensitisation to benzylisoquinoline NMBAs.
Accuracy of Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Intra‐abdominal Injuries in Stable Patients With Anterior Abdominal Stab Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Baron Bonny J. , Benabbas Roshanak , Kohler Casey , Biggs Carina , Roudnitsky Valery , Paladino Lorenzo , Sinert Richard
Published: January 2018

Background

Workup for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) following an anterior abdominal stab wound (AASW) has been debated since the 1960s. Experts agree that patients with peritonitis, evisceration, or hemodynamic instability should undergo immediate laparotomy (LAP); however, workup of stable, asymptomatic or nonperitoneal patients is not clearly defined.

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) for diagnosis of intraabdominal injuries requiring therapeutic laparotomy (THER‐LAP) in ED patients with AASW. Is a negative CT scan without a period of observation sufficient to safely discharge a hemodynamically stable, asymptomatic AASW patient?

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from their inception until May 2017 for studies on ED patients with AASW. We defined the reference standard test as LAP for patients who were managed surgically and inpatient observation in those who were managed nonoperatively. In those who underwent LAP, THER‐LAP was considered as disease positive. We used the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) to evaluate the risk of bias and assess the applicability of the included studies. We attempted to compute the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR–) using a random‐effects model with MetaDiSc software and calculate testing and treatment thresholds for CT scan applying the Pauker and Kassirer model.

Results

Seven studies were included encompassing 575 patients. The weighted prevalence of THER‐LAP was 34.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 30.5%–38.2%). Studies had variable quality and the inclusion criteria were not uniform. The operating characteristics of CT scan were as follows: sensitivity = 50% to 100%, specificity = 39% to 97%, LR+ = 1.0 to 15.7, and LR– = 0.07 to 1.0. The high heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) of the operating characteristics of CT scan prevented pooling of the data and therefore the testing and treatment thresholds could not be estimated.

Discussion

The articles revealed a high prevalence (8.7%, 95% CI = 6.1%–12.2%) of injuries requiring THER‐LAP in patients with a negative CT scan and almost half (47%, 95% CI = 30%–64%) of those injuries involved the small bowel.

Conclusions

In stable AASW patients, a negative CT scan alone without an observation period is inadequate to exclude significant intraabdominal injuries.
Cost‐effectiveness of possible future smoking cessation strategies in Hungary: results from the EQUIPTMOD
Authors: Németh Bertalan , Józwiak‐Hagymásy Judit , Kovács Gábor , Kovács Attila , Demjén Tibor , Huber Manuel B. , Cheung Kei‐Long , Coyle Kathryn , Lester‐George Adam , Pokhrel Subhash , Vokó Zoltán
Published: January 2018

Aims

To evaluate potential health and economic returns from implementing smoking cessation interventions in Hungary.

Methods

The EQUIPTMOD, a Markov‐based economic model, was used to assess the cost‐effectiveness of three implementation scenarios: (a) introducing a social marketing campaign; (b) doubling the reach of existing group‐based behavioural support therapies and proactive telephone support; and (c) a combination of the two scenarios. All three scenarios were compared with current practice. The scenarios were chosen as feasible options available for Hungary based on the outcome of interviews with local stakeholders. Life‐time costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated from a health‐care perspective. The analyses used various return on investment (ROI) estimates, including incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs), to compare the scenarios. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed the extent to which the estimated mean ICERs were sensitive to the model input values.

Results

Introducing a social marketing campaign resulted in an increase of 0.3014 additional quitters per 1 000 smokers, translating to health‐care cost‐savings of €0.6495 per smoker compared with current practice. When the value of QALY gains was considered, cost‐savings increased to €14.1598 per smoker. Doubling the reach of existing group‐based behavioural support therapies and proactive telephone support resulted in health‐care savings of €0.2539 per smoker (€3.9620 with the value of QALY gains), compared with current practice. The respective figures for the combined scenario were €0.8960 and €18.0062. Results were sensitive to model input values.

Conclusions

According to the EQUIPTMOD modelling tool, it would be cost‐effective for the Hungarian authorities introduce a social marketing campaign and double the reach of existing group‐based behavioural support therapies and proactive telephone support. Such policies would more than pay for themselves in the long term.
An analysis of effects of heterozygosity in dairy cattle for bovine tuberculosis resistance
Authors: Tsairidou S. , Allen A. R. , Pong‐Wong R. , McBride S. H. , Wright D. M. , Matika O. , Pooley C. M. , McDowell S. W. J. , Glass E. J. , Skuce R. A. , Bishop S. C. , Woolliams J. A.
Published: January 2018

Genetic selection of cattle more resistant to bovine tuberculosis (bTB) may offer a complementary control strategy. Hypothesising underlying non‐additive genetic variation, we present an approach using genome‐wide high density markers to identify genomic loci with dominance effects on bTB resistance and to test previously published regions with heterozygote advantage in bTB. Our data comprised 1151 Holstein–Friesian cows from Northern Ireland, confirmed bTB cases and controls, genotyped with the 700K Illumina BeadChip. Genome‐wide markers were tested for associations between heterozygosity and bTB status using marker‐based relationships. Results were tested for robustness against genetic structure, and the genotypic frequencies of a significant locus were tested for departures from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. Genomic regions identified in our study and in previous publications were tested for dominance effects. Genotypic effects were estimated through ASReml mixed models. A SNP (rs43032684) on chromosome 6 was significant at the chromosome‐wide level, explaining 1.7% of the phenotypic variance. In the controls, there were fewer heterozygotes for rs43032684 (P < 0.01) with the genotypic values suggesting that heterozygosity confers a heterozygote disadvantage. The region surrounding rs43032684 had a significant dominance effect (P < 0.01). SNP rs43032684 resides within a pseudogene with a parental gene involved in macrophage response to infection and within a copy‐number‐variation region previously associated with nematode resistance. No dominance effect was found for the region on chromosome 11, as indicated by a previous candidate region bTB study. These findings require further validation with large‐scale data.
Ophthalmological data on 4.5‐ to 7‐year‐old Danish children
Authors: Sandfeld Lisbeth , Weihrauch Hanne , Tubæk Gitte , Mortzos Panteleimon
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To report normative data on visual acuity (VA) for near and distance, refraction, ocular alignment, ocular motility and stereo acuity in a cohort of children aged 4.5–7 years.

Methods

A total of 950 children with normal development from the municipality of Roskilde, Denmark, were invited to participate in an ophthalmic cross‐sectional population‐based survey, of which 445 children in the age of 54–87 months participated with a complete ocular examination including cycloplegia. Visual acuity (VA) was tested using Kay Picture charts and notified in logMAR units.

Results

Mean distance VA was 0.010 logMAR [standard deviation (SD): 0.048] in right eye, and near VA in right eye was 0.012 logMAR (SD: 0.054), with a nonsignificant difference between right and left eye in both parameters (paired t‐test, p = 0.15 and p = 0.08, respectively). Amblyopia was found in 12 children (2.7%), mainly related to refractive errors. The mean refractive error of right eye was +1.75 D, and significant hyperopia (greater than +3.0 D) was found in 7.9%. No myopia (greater than or equal to −0.5 D) was found, astigmatism (>1 D) was seen in 4.3%. Manifest strabismus was present in 1.6%, and heterophoria in 4.0%. Reduced or absent stereo acuity was present in 35 children (7.9%) and was related to a reduced VA, refractive error and strabismus.

Conclusion

Ophthalmic data of 445 normally developed children are presented, supplementing previous reported normative data in children. We found a relatively high prevalence of amblyopia and of hyperopia, while myopia was not found, confirming previous studies that myopia is not developing at early age in Danish children.
The future‐like‐ours argument, animalism, and mereological universalism
Authors: Sauchelli Andrea
Published: January 2018

Which metaphysical theories are involved—whether presupposed or implied—in Marquis’ future‐like‐ours (FLO) argument against abortion? Vogelstein has recently argued that the supporter of the FLO argument faces a problematic dilemma; in particular, Marquis, the main supporter of the argument, seems to have to either (a) abandon diachronic universalism (DU) or (b) acquiesce and declare that contraception is morally wrong. I argue that the premises of Marquis’ argument can be reasonably combined with a form of unrestricted composition and that the FLO argument is better viewed as including animalism, i.e., the thesis that we are animals.
Effective altruists ought to be allowed to sell their kidneys
Authors: Tonkens Ryan
Published: January 2018

Effective altruists aim to do the most good that they can do with the resources available to them, without causing themselves or their dependents significant harm thereby. The argument presented in this paper demonstrates that there are no morally relevant dissimilarities between living kidney donation and living kidney selling for effective altruistic reasons. Thus, since the former is allowed, the latter ought to be allowed as well. And, there are important moral differences between living kidney selling for effective altruistic reasons and other reasons for kidney vending (e.g., for personal financial gain), such that standard objections against markets in human kidneys do not attach to those markets designed around principles of effective altruism. The reasonable conclusion to draw from this is that eligible effective altruist kidney donors ought to be allowed to sell (one of) their kidneys to others in need, if they so desire. Because of this, law and policy ought to be changed to allow for this exceptional case: current laws that ban kidney selling for everyone, irrespective of their reason for selling, are unjustified.
Does soil moisture availability explain liana seedling distribution across a tropical rainfall gradient?
Authors: Manzané‐Pinzón Eric , Goldstein Guillermo , Schnitzer Stefan A.
Published: January 2018

Liana density tends to increase with decreasing rainfall and increasing seasonality. However, the pattern of liana distribution may be due to differences in soil water retention capacity, not rainfall and seasonality per se. We tested the effect of rainfall and soil substrate with respect to the distribution of liana seedlings in six sites across a rainfall gradient from the wet Atlantic to the dry Pacific in central Panama. Soils were either limestone, with low water‐holding capacity, or laterite, with higher water‐holding capacity. We sampled liana seedlings at each site using three 1 × 100 m transect. We found that relative liana seedling density was higher on limestone soils compared to laterite soils regardless of the amount of rainfall. Furthermore, liana community composition on limestone soils was more similar to dry forest sites than to adjacent wet and moist forest sites. Liana seedling species diversity relative to trees was significantly higher in a low‐fertility dry forest site compared to a high‐fertility forest, but did not differ from the other sites. Thus, liana seedling density and community structure may be driven more by soil type and thus by soil moisture availability than strictly by mean annual rainfall and the seasonality of rainfall.
Carbon stocks in the Guinea savanna of Ghana: estimates from three protected areas
Authors: Djagbletey Ebenezer D. , Logah Vincent , Ewusi‐Mensah Nana , Tuffour Henry O.
Published: January 2018

Savannas are widespread in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) and play a major role in the global carbon balance. Extensive quantification of savanna carbon stocks inSSAwill therefore contribute to better accounting of the global carbon budget in the era of climate change. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of carbon stocks of different soil fractions and aboveground biomass within three forest reserves in the Guinea savanna zone of Ghana. Soil carbon stocks (SCSs) ranged from 4.80 to 12.61 Mg C/ha in surface soils (0–10 cm depth). HigherSCSs were associated with the silt +clay fraction than microaggregates and small macroaggregates in all three reserves. Relative to the dominant tree species (Vitellaria paradoxa), the highestSCSs were recorded under the sub‐canopy (SC), drip line (DL), and interspace (2 *SC+DL) zones for the Klupene, Sinsablegbinni, and Kenikeni forest reserves, respectively. The highest tree carbon stock was 60.01 Mg C/ha in Kenikeni. Sinsablegbinni had an average stock of 26.74 Mg C/ha and had the highest tree density. Average carbon capture by a single tree ranged from 0.04 to 0.34 Mg C. Aboveground grass carbon stock ranged from 0.08 to 0.47 Mg C/ha, while the belowground carbon stock ranged from 0.03 to 0.44 Mg C/ha. Accumulation of carbon in the aboveground grass biomass was greater at Klupene with low forest cover.
Editorial: The future of crisis mental health services for children and young people
Authors: Cotgrove Andy
Published: January 2018

The future of mental health services for children and young people are at a turning point. There is increasing recognition that there is huge unmet need. In the UK only approximately 25% of children and young people with a mental health disorder receive treatment, but demand to access care is increasing. At the same time evidence is building on what treatments are effective. This has not been matched by equivalent research evidence on what service configurations are most effective. In their systematic review of ‘the impact of pediatric mental health care provided in outpatient, primary care, community and school settings on emergency department use’, Kirkland et al (2018) found only limited evidence to suggest that the provision of services in the community impact on the use of emergency departments. The absence of robust RCT evidence should not prevent us from improving the outcomes and experience of children and young people facing a mental health crisis. Much is known about the value of early intervention and effective community interventions. Action should be taken now to prioritise the use of scarce resources where they are needed most to reduce unnecessary and sometimes unhelpful attendances at emergency departments and avoid potentially harmful mental health admissions.
SNCA, a novel biomarker for Group 4 medulloblastomas, can inhibit tumor invasion and induce apoptosis
Authors: Li Yong‐Xiao , Yu Zhen‐Wei , Jiang Tao , Shao Li‐Wei , Liu Yan , Li Na , Wu Yu‐Feng , Zheng Chen , Wu Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Ming , Zheng Dan‐Feng , Qi Xue‐Ling , Ding Min , Zhang Jing , Chang Qing
Published: January 2018

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in childhood. It contains at least four distinct molecular subgroups. The aim of this study is to explore novel diagnostic and potential therapeutic markers within each subgroup of MB, in particular within Group 4, the largest subgroup, to facilitate diagnosis together with gene therapy. One hundred and six MB samples were examined. Tumor subtype was evaluated with the NanoString assay. Several novel tumor related genes were shown to have high subgroup sensitivity and specificity, including PDGFRA, FGFR1, and ALK in the WNT group, CCND1 in the SHH group, and α‐synuclein (SNCA) in Group 4. Knockdown and overexpression assays of SNCA revealed the ability of this gene to inhibit tumor invasion and induce apoptosis. Methylation‐specific PCR and pyrosequencing analysis showed that epigenetic mechanisms, rather than DNA hypermethylation, might play the key role in the regulation of SNCA expression in MB tumors. In conclusion, we identify SNCA as a novel diagnostic biomarker for Group 4 MB. Some other subgroup signature genes have also been found as candidate therapeutic targets for this tumor.
Clinical reactivity of celery cultivars in allergic patients: Role of Api g 1
Authors: Dölle S. , Welter S. , Ruppel E. , Lehmann K. , Schwarz D. , Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Zieglmayer P. , Franken P. , Worm M.
Published: January 2018

Background

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) is a vegetable consumed world‐wide. Celery stalks and celeriac roots are often ingredients in convenient food products like spice blends and soups.

Objective

In this study, we examined the allergenicity of distinct celeriac cultivars.

Methods

Sixteen celery‐allergic patients were identified using a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge. Ten different celeriac cultivars were used for skin prick testing in the patients. Two cultivars were further applied for oral food challenges; their protein composition was analysed by immunoblotting, and contents of major allergen Api g 1 were quantified.

Results

From the 10 investigated celeriac cultivars, two cultivars elicited significantly different skin reactivity (“Anita”: 5.0 [2.0‐12.0] mm vs “Prinz”: 7.0 [3.0‐9.5] mm; P = .047). Moreover, “Anita” induced fewer symptoms after a controlled oral‐celeriac challenge in 14 patient (P < .001). The protein profiles on 2DE protein gels showed distinct protein patterns and higher protein amounts of Api g 1 in “Prinz” than in “Anita.”

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Taken together, the data from this study suggest that cultivar Anita is better tolerated in celery‐allergic patients than “Prinz.” Differences in the protein expression profile between the cultivars, particularly the different content of Api g 1, could cause the different allergenicity.
Retinopathy of prematurity: the high cost of screening regional and remote infants
Authors: Yu Tzu‐Ying , Donovan Tim , Armfield Nigel , Gole Glen A
Published: January 2018

Importance

Demand for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening is increasing for infants born at rural and regional hospitals where the service is not generally available. The health system cost for screening regional/remote infants has not been reported.

Background

The objective of this study is to evaluate the cost of ROP screening at a large centralized tertiary neonatal service for infants from regional/rural hospitals.

Design

This is a retrospective study to establish the cost of transferring regional/rural infants to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital for ROP screening over a 28‐month period.

Participants

A total of 131 infants were included in this study.

Methods

Individual infant costs were calculated from analysis of clinical and administrative records.

Main Outcome Measures

Economic cost of ROP screening for all transfers from regional/rural hospitals to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

Results

The average economic cost of ROP screening for this cohort was AUD$5110 per infant screened and the total cost was AUD$669 413. The average cost per infant screened was highest for infants from a regional centre with a population of 75 000 (AUD$14 856 per child), which was also geographically furthest from Brisbane. No infant in this cohort transferred from a regional nursery reached criteria for intervention for ROP by standard guidelines.

Conclusions and Relevance

Health system costs for ROP screening of remote infants at a centralized hospital are high. Alternative strategies using telemedicine can now be compared with centralized screening.
Effect of membrane exposure on guided bone regeneration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Garcia Jeffrey , Dodge Austin , Luepke Paul , Wang Hom‐Lay , Kapila Yvonne , Lin Guo‐Hao
Published: January 2018

Aims

This review aimed at investigating the effect of membrane exposure on guided bone regeneration (GBR) outcomes at peri‐implant sites and edentulous ridges.

Material and Methods

Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted by two independent reviewers using four databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for articles up to February 2017. Articles were included if they were human clinical trials or case series reporting outcomes of GBR procedures with and without membrane exposure. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) between the two groups and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported.

Results

Overall, eight articles were included in the quantitative analysis. The WMD of the horizontal bone gain at edentulous ridges was −76.24% (95% CI = −137.52% to −14.97%, p = .01) between sites with membrane exposure and without exposure. In addition, the WMD of the dehiscence reduction at peri‐implant sites was −27.27% (95% CI of −45.87% to −8.68%, p = .004). Both analyses showed significantly favorable outcomes at the sites without membrane exposure.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, membrane exposure after GBR procedures has a significant detrimental influence on the outcome of bone augmentation. For the edentulous ridges, the sites without membrane exposure achieved 74% more horizontal bone gain than the sites with exposure. For peri‐implant dehiscence defects, the sites without membrane exposure had 27% more defect reduction than the sites with exposure.
Ileocolonic neuroendocrine tumours identified in the English bowel cancer screening programme
Authors: Basuroy R. , O'Donnell C. M. , Srirajaskanthan R. , Ramage J. K.
Published: January 2018

Aim

Ileocolonic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are diagnosed as part of bowel cancer screening programmes (BCSPs). The aim of this study was to identify and characterize NETs diagnosed within the English BCSP, a double‐screen programme that uses guaic faecal occult blood test (gFOBT) screening and colonoscopy, by interrogating the national colorectal screening database and validating the findings with individual BCSP centres.

Method

The Exeter database was interrogated by running queries to identify participants with coded NETs (from the start of the programme in July 2006 – 1 December 2014). A written proforma was sent to the responsible BCSP clinician for validation and characterization.

Results

During this period, 13 061 716 participants were adequately screened using gFOBTs, and 259 765 participants had definitively abnormal results. There were 146 unique participants with NET‐related codes from 216 707 BCSP colonoscopies. The diagnosis rates per 100 000 colonoscopies were 29 rectal, 18 colonic and 11 ileal NETs. The majority of rectal NETs had Grade 1 (80%) and Stage T1 (85.1%) disease. Over half of ileal NETs (53.6%) in this study had invasive disease, with 85.2% having nodal and 36.1% having metastastatic disease.

Conclusion

The current study highlights the rate of colorectal NETs diagnosed in the English BCSP. These data highlight a higher‐than‐anticipated incidence, and the potential additional benefit of BCSPs in identifying occult NETs.
Using cadaveric simulation to introduce the concept and skills required to start performing transanal total mesorectal excision
Authors: Wynn G. R. , Austin R. C. T. , Motson R. W.
Published: January 2018

Aim

The aim was to document the outcomes of surgeons attending a cadaveric simulation course designed to provide an introduction to transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME).

Method

This was a prospective observational study documenting the outcomes from classroom and wet lab activities. Follow‐up questionnaires were used to monitor clinical activity after the course.

Results

Outcomes of 65 delegates from 12 different countries attending seven cadaveric simulation courses are described. Median time to insert and close the rectal purse‐string was 15 min (range 7–50 min) and median time to complete the transanal mesorectal dissection was 105 min (range 60–260 min). Objective assessment of specimen quality showed that 42% of specimens were complete, 47% nearly complete and 11% were incomplete. Failure of the intraluminal rectal purse‐string was the most common difficulty encountered. Within 6 months of attending the course, nearly half (26/55; 47%) of the surgeons who responded had performed between 1 and 13 TaTMEs. Only 8/26 (31%) of the surgeons had arranged mentoring for their first case.

Conclusion

This training model provides high levels of trainee satisfaction and the knowledge and technical skills to enable them to start performing TaTME. There is still work to do to provide adequate supervision and mentorship for surgeons early on their learning curve that is essential for the safe introduction of this new technique.