bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disentangling direct and indirect effects of credence labels
Authors: Dentoni Domenico , T. Tonsor Glynn , Calantone Roger , Christopher Peterson H.
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to disentangle the direct and indirect effects of three credence labels (Australian, animal welfare and grass-fed) on US consumer attitudes toward buying beef steaks. Furthermore, it explores the impact of consumer attribute knowledge, usage frequency, education and opinion strength on the magnitude of direct and indirect effects.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data are collected through an online experiment with 460 US consumers and analyzed with path modeling.

Findings

– The Australian label generates a 86 percent negative direct effect vs a 14 percent negative indirect effect on consumer attitudes, which means that US consumers do not make strong inferences to form their attitudes toward buying Australian beef. The animal welfare label generates 50 percent direct and 50 percent indirect effects. The grass-fed label generates only indirect effects (100 percent). The higher consumer education, attribute knowledge, usage frequency, education and opinion strength, the weaker are the indirect effects of credence labels.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focusses on consumers in one country (USA), one product (beef steak) and one label across three attributes, therefore generalization of results is limited.

Practical implications

– The study offers a tool to agribusiness managers as well as to policy makers, NGOs and consumer groups to design and assess the effectiveness of communication campaigns attempting to strengthen (or weaken) consumer inferences and attitudes relative to credence labels.

Originality/value

– Despite the wide literature on consumer inferences based on credence labels, this is the first study that quantitatively disentangles the complex set of inferential effects generated by credence labels and explores common relationships across multiple credence attributes.
Parental risk perception of mycotoxins and risk reduction behaviour
Authors: Niens Christine , Strack Micha , Marggraf Rainer
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the parental risk perception of mycotoxins (mould toxins) related to child health in Germany. It ascertains the parental risk reduction behaviour operationalised as parental additional willingness to pay (aWTP) for special child products. It investigates the interrelationships between parental risk perceptions and risk reduction behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– Altogether, 771 questionnaires were sent to 17 day-care centres in Lower Saxony, Germany. A total of 238 questionnaires were completed. The Perceived Food Risk Index was used to identify the main dimensions of parental risk perception of mycotoxins. Open and closed questions measured aWTP for risk reduction and parental risk estimates.

Findings

– The respondents believed that mycotoxins posed a moderate health risk for children in Germany. However, parental risk assessment was found to be subjected to an optimistic bias. Nevertheless, the parents were willing to pay a premium to protect their children's health against mycotoxins. Parental risk perception of mycotoxins could be described by two dimensions named “Dread” and “Control”. “Dread” and “Control” predicted aWTP for risk reduction as well as being involved in the genesis of optimistic bias.

Research limitations/implications

– Information regarding mycotoxins provided in the questionnaire probably influenced parental responses. This limits the generalisation of the findings.

Originality/value

– This research provides initial findings regarding parental risk perceptions of mycotoxins and its impact on risk reduction behaviour. The results are useful for the development of effective risk management and thus for the protection of child health.
Exploring comparative efficiency and determinants of efficiency for major world airlines
Authors: Joo Seong-Jong , L. Fowler Karen
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– For strategic and competitive insights, this paper aims to measure and benchmark comparative operating efficiencies of major airlines in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors employ data envelopment analysis for measuring the relative efficiency of 90 airlines in Asia, Europe, and North America. In addition, the authors use Tobit regression analysis for finding determinants of the efficiency.

Findings

– Results indicate that the efficiency of the airlines in Europe is the lowest among the airlines in these three regions. Efficiency differences between the airlines in Europe and the airlines in the two other regions (Asia and North America) are statistically significant in terms of technical efficiency and pure technical efficiency, but not significant between the airlines in Asia and North America. For the determinants of efficiency, the authors identified that revenues and expenses were significant for explaining efficiency scores of airlines.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research is needed to explain the findings that airlines in Europe were less efficient than airlines in Asia and North America. In addition, including variables on customer satisfaction in a future study is desirable.

Originality/value

– Major contributions of this study include measuring the comparative efficiency of major airlines in Asia, Europe, and North America and finding determinants of the efficiency for strategic insights.
Implicit memory-based technique in solving dynamic scheduling problems through Response Surface Methodology – Part II
Authors: Blanco Abello Manuel , Michalewicz Zbigniew
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This is the second part of a two-part paper. The purpose of this paper is to report the results on the application of the methods that use the Response Surface Methodology to investigate an evolutionary algorithm (EA) and memory-based approach referred to as McBAR – the Mapping of Task IDs for Centroid-Based Adaptation with Random Immigrants.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methods applied in this paper are fully explained in the first part. They are utilized to investigate the performances (ability to determine solutions to problems) of techniques composed of McBAR and some EA-based techniques for solving some multi-objective dynamic resource-constrained project scheduling problems with a variable number of tasks.

Findings

– The main results include the following: first, some algorithmic components of McBAR are legitimate; second, the performance of McBAR is generally superior to those of the other techniques after increase in the number of tasks in each of the above-mentioned problems; and third, McBAR has the most resilient performance among the techniques against changes in the environment that set the problems.

Originality/value

– This paper is novel for investigating the enumerated results.
Aged care, cultural and linguistic diversity and IT in Australia: a critical perspective
Authors: O’Mara Ben
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute a critical perspective to debate on health disparities in Australia by examining the ways in which information technology (IT) can support more inclusive communication on aged care with refugee and migrant communities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyses research and policy literature on Australian aged care, IT and participatory approaches to health communication influenced by Friere's critical pedagogy. It distils significant themes for comparison with findings from: a qualitative research project involving communities from Vietnamese, Sudanese and Samoan backgrounds and elderly members of those groups; and, a later case study conducted with elderly women of Vietnamese background. Both projects were based in Melbourne's west.

Findings

– Friere's theoretical framework can be used to more fully determine the capacity of IT to perform inclusive communication on aged care with refugee and migrant communities from CALD backgrounds. This is best actioned through future research and practice that: prioritizes specific aged care issues; focuses on expanding the “transformation” and “critical consciousness” elements of Friere's dialogical theory; and, uses affordable, accessible and “multi-modal” IT combined with face-to-face bilingual facilitation and two-way communication between participants and health, community and university professionals.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the conceptual nature of the paper, the research results lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the reccomendations further.

Originality/value

– The paper fills a gap in understanding about what may help in developing more inclusive aged care information using IT with elderly refugees and migrants from CALD backgrounds in Australia.
Application of Lean Six Sigma methodology in the registration process of a hospital
Authors: Bhat Shreeranga , Gijo E.V. , Jnanesh N.A.
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the scope of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) strategy and to explore its successful deployment in the Indian healthcare sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research reported in this paper is based on a case study carried out using the LSS DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Control) approach and its application in improving the registration process in the Health Information Department (HID) of a Medical College hospital in India.

Findings

– The study describes improvements in the HID through the power of LSS. Cycle time of the process was reduced from three to 1.5 minutes and the SD was reduced to 21.2 from 61 seconds. The project has shown a 94 per cent reduction in patients’ average waiting time. The study also reported a 91 per cent reduction in queue length and 48 per cent reduction in percentage of scheduled utilization of staff for the process.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on a single case study executed in a hospital and hence there is limitation in generalizing the specific results from the study. But the approach adopted and the learning from this study can be generalized. The study is of use to healthcare practitioners seeking to implement or develop LSS further in their organizations.

Originality/value

– Although LSS being extremely successful in the last two decades, the application of LSS to the healthcare industry in general and HID in particular has been limited. This study illustrates how its application can improve the performance of the process and thus productivity in the department.
Coping with the death of singleton children in China: the role of social capital
Authors: Yan Flora Lau Pui
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Discussion of China's one-child policy generally centres on its demographic effects. Bereavement among parents of singleton children and the role of social capital in the bereavement process have been under-explored. The purpose of this paper is to focus on mothers who lost their only children during the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. The paper aims to discuss the under-explored yet crucial issues of the one-child policy – the ways in which Chinese bereaved mothers handle the death of their singleton children – and the roles that social capital can play in their bereavement process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author conducted eight case studies on bereaved mothers through home visits, semi-structured interviews and participation in public activities during August 2010 and May 2011. In-depth interviews were used to collect information from these bereaved mothers in Sichuan, China.

Findings

– The case studies reveal two major experiences of bereaved mother whose familial support varies substantially. One major experience is shared by those who had received emotional support from husband (who offered bonding social capital), and were able to get through the psychological pain. Another experience is shared by bereaved mothers who lost their familial relations. Weak social ties (i.e. an NGO which offered bridging social capital) remained the only source of support. Policies can target at the latter group of mothers by helping them to organise themselves into community-based groups and help to relieve their frustration and grief.

Originality/value

– These research findings have implications for the development of NGOs, as well as complementary support for community-based bereavement counselling and community care in China.
Measuring abnormal pricing – an alternative approach
Authors: Hong Keejae , H. Pak Cabrini , J. Pak Simon
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the degree of trade mispricing in the US fresh banana trade with Latin American and Caribbean countries using a new alternative measure in estimating arm’s length price.

Design/methodology/approach

– A key feature of the research design is that we use the actual free market price of commodity (e.g. fresh banana price) as a benchmark for arm’s length price rather than relying on interquartile range, which is known to be problematic.

Findings

– The paper finds that when the degree of mispricing is measured by two widely used methods, interquartile price filter and partner-country methods, we find little evidence of undervaluation or overvaluation of US banana import. However, when we use the free-market price of fresh banana as a benchmark for arm’s length price, first adopted in this study, the average undervalued amount of trade compared to the total banana import declared value by the US importers is on average 54 per cent during the period between 2000 and 2009.

Originality/value

– This study suggests a new simple measure in estimating arm’s length traction price in studying trade mispricing.
From end user to provider: making sense of becoming a peer support worker using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Dyble Gemma , Tickle Anna , Collinson Christine
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– There has been extensive growth in the employment of mental health peer support workers (PSWs) over the last decade. However, limited research exists when exploring how PSWs make sense of the transition of entering and enacting the role. The purpose of this paper is to explore the lived experience of NHS employed PSWs’ transition from their own experiences of mental health problems to provide a service to support individuals with their mental health problems.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study used purposive sampling to recruit seven participants who were individually interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Findings

– Three superordinate themes were identified: fluctuating identities, PSW role and organisational culture. These were interpreted as interdependent with interrelating subordinate themes.

Research limitations/implications

– Participants considered the complex, idiosyncratic and changeable nature of the transitions and the impact on their individual, interpersonal and collective identities. Emotional and practical support appeared to assist the transition whilst competing roles and blurred boundaries constrained the enactment of the new role. Implications for practice and research are provided.

Originality/value

– Reports on original research and adds to the sparse UK literature in this area.
Why does relative deprivation affect mental health? The role of justice, trust and social rank in psychological wellbeing and paranoid ideation
Authors: Wickham Sophie , Shryane Nick , Lyons Minna , Dickins Thomas , Bentall Richard
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Relative deprivation is associated with poor mental health but the mechanisms responsible have rarely been studied. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that childhood perceived relative deprivation (PRD) would be linked to sub-syndromal psychotic symptoms and poor wellbeing via beliefs about justice, trust and social rank.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 683 undergraduate students were administered measures of childhood PRD, hallucination-proneness, paranoia and wellbeing and measures of trust, social rank and beliefs about justice. A subsample supplied childhood address data. Multiple mediation analysis was used to assess pathways from childhood experiences to outcomes.

Findings

– Childhood PRD was associated with all three outcomes. The relationship between PRD and paranoia was fully mediated by perceptions that the world is unjust for the self and low social rank. The same variables mediated the relationship between PRD and poor wellbeing. There were no significant mediators of the relationship between PRD and hallucination-proneness.

Research limitations/implications

– Although our outcome measures have been validated with student samples, it may not be representative. The study is cross-sectional with a retrospective measure of PRD, although similar results were found using childhood addresses to infer objective deprivation. Further studies are required using prospective measures and patient samples.

Social implications

– Social circumstances that promote feelings of low social worth and injustice may confer risk of poor psychological outcome. Ameliorating these circumstances may improve population mental health.

Originality/value

– Improvements in public mental health will require an understanding of the mechanisms linking adversity to poor outcomes. This paper explores some probable mechanisms which have hitherto been neglected.
Treatment of facial telangiectasia with a small spot of intense pulsed light: A case series of three patients
Authors: Tsunoda Kanako , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Ogino Noriko , Yoshida Aki , Akasaka Toshihide
Published: June 2014

Intense pulsed light (IPL) technology has long been used in the treatment of facial telangiectasia. While the large spot size of traditional IPL devices offers rapid coverage, it has limitations in terms of visibility and uniform contact with the skin in contoured areas of the face. The novel IPL used in this study had a small spot size (6.35 mm) and shorter wavelength (500–635 nm), allowing the use of high fluence without burning the normal epidermal tissue surrounding the lesion, thus providing better efficacy. Treatment of facial telangiectasia using small‐spot IPL is effective with a low risk of dermatological damage, and its uses for medical care are expected to diversify.
Study of the usefulness of moisturizers on adherence of acne patients treated with adapalene
Authors: Hayashi Nobukazu , Kawashima Makoto
Published: June 2014

The efficacy of adapalene for acne treatment has been established. However, because of local adverse reactions, a fair number of patients discontinue adapalene treatment before experiencing its effects. To examine the usefulness of moisturizers concomitant with adapalene on adherence to treatment and its therapeutic effects in patients, 100 patients with mild to severe acne vulgaris were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A, in which patients received adapalene in combination with a moisturizer (heparinoid); or group B, in which treatment consisted of adapalene alone and was converted to combination therapy with a moisturizer if local adverse reactions occurred that made adherence to treatment difficult. After 4 weeks of treatment, we compared the proportion of patients who adhered to therapy until the end of week 4, the number of treatment dropouts, and changes in the number of inflammatory eruptions and comedones between the groups. All of the patients in group A and 70% in group B continued the initial therapy until the end of week 4. In group B, three patients withdrew their consent and one patient stopped attending follow‐up visits. The treatment period with the initial therapy was significantly elongated by the concomitant use of a moisturizer. No adverse effect of the use of a moisturizer was observed on the number of comedones and inflammatory eruptions. The concomitant use of a moisturizer with adapalene from the beginning of treatment did not affect its therapeutic effects and helped to improve adherence to treatment with adapalene.
Inhibition of budding/release of porcine endogenous retrovirus
Authors: Abe Masumi , Fukuma Aiko , Yoshikawa Rokusuke , Miyazawa Takayuki , Yasuda Jiro
Published: June 2014

PERV is integrated into the genome of all pigs. PERV‐A and PERV‐B are polytropic and can productively infect human cell lines, whereas PERV‐C is ecotropic. Recombinant PERV‐A/C can infect human cells and exhibits high titer replication. Therefore, use of pigs for human xenotransplantation raises concerns about the risks of transfer of this infectious agent from donors to xenotransplantation recipients. To establish strategies to inhibit PERV production from cells, in the present study, we investigated the mechanism of PERV budding and anti‐PERV activity of Tetherin/BST‐2. The results showed that DN mutants of WWP‐2, Tsg101, and Vps4A/B markedly reduced PERV production in human and porcine cell lines, suggesting that PERV budding uses these cellular factors and the cellular MVB sorting pathway as well as many other retroviruses. Moreover, PERV production was also reduced by human and porcine Tetherin/BST‐2. These data are useful for developing strategies to inhibit PERV production and may reduce the risk of PERV infection in xenotransplantation.
Promotion of an autonomy‐supportive parental style in a multi‐family group for eating‐disordered adolescents
Authors: Depestele Lies , Claes Laurence , Lemmens Gilbert M. D.
Published: June 2014

A multi‐family group intervention has been developed in a group‐oriented inpatient treatment programme for eating‐disordered adolescents. In the inpatient unit the opportunity for patients to have autonomy and sense of choice concerning the treatment are structurally embedded. Consequently, the multi‐family group promotes an autonomy‐supportive parental style. This article reports on the therapeutic model of the group and its consequences for the role of the parents in the treatment of eating disorders. The process of the multi‐family format treatment is also explained and clinical vignettes given to illustrate the different therapeutic techniques. Finally, the benefits and limitations of the multi‐family group are discussed.

Practitioner points

A multi‐family group offers an excellent therapeutic context for changing role exercises, family sculpting and goldfish bowl discussions.

Multi‐family groups primarily make use of the resources of the different families and their discussions.

Parents may experiment with autonomy‐supportive parental behaviour in multi‐family groups.

Therapists play a more peripheral and less central role in multi‐family groups than in single family therapy.
Use of hormonal contraceptives among immigrant and native women in Norway: data from the Norwegian Prescription Database
Authors: Omland G , Ruths S , Diaz E
Published: June 2014

Objective

To examine the use of hormonal contraceptives among immigrant and native women in Norway.

Design

Nationwide registry‐based study based on merged data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, the Norwegian Population Registry, the Regular General Practitioner Database and the Medical Birth Registry.

Setting

Norway.

Sample

All women born abroad to two foreign‐born parents (immigrants), or born in Norway to two Norwegian‐born parents (natives) aged 16–45 years, who lived in Norway in 2008.

Methods

Data on all collected supplies of hormonal contraceptives in 2008 were merged with demographic, socio‐economic and immigration data, information on any delivery and women's general practitioners.

Main outcome measures

User rates of hormonal contraception and predictors of contraceptive use.

Results

A total of 893 073 women were included, of whom 130 080 were immigrants. More native women (38%) used hormonal contraceptives compared with all immigrant groups (15–24%). The odds ratios for any use of hormonal contraceptives for immigrants compared with Norwegian‐born women were; Nordic countries 0.53, South and Central America 0.53, Western countries 0.39, Asia 0.30, Eastern Europe 0.29, Africa 0.29. Work, education, long stay in Norway and young age of immigration predicted the use of hormonal contraceptives among immigrants.

Conclusions

The use of hormonal contraceptives varies between natives and immigrant groups. Further work is needed to ascertain whether these differences can be explained by higher desires for fertility, preferential use of non‐hormonal contraceptives or other reasons identified through qualitative research.
Toward a General Ontology for Digital Forensic Disciplines
Authors: Karie Nickson M. , Venter Hein S.
Published: June 2014

Ontologies are widely used in different disciplines as a technique for representing and reasoning about domain knowledge. However, despite the widespread ontology‐related research activities and applications in different disciplines, the development of ontologies and ontology research activities is still wanting in digital forensics. This paper therefore presents the case for establishing an ontology for digital forensic disciplines. Such an ontology would enable better categorization of the digital forensic disciplines, as well as assist in the development of methodologies and specifications that can offer direction in different areas of digital forensics. This includes such areas as professional specialization, certifications, development of digital forensic tools, curricula, and educational materials. In addition, the ontology presented in this paper can be used, for example, to better organize the digital forensic domain knowledge and explicitly describe the discipline's semantics in a common way. Finally, this paper is meant to spark discussions and further research on an internationally agreed ontological distinction of the digital forensic disciplines. Digital forensic disciplines ontology is a novel approach toward organizing the digital forensic domain knowledge and constitutes the main contribution of this paper.
Review article: Emergency department data sharing to reduce alcohol‐related violence: A systematic review of the feasibility and effectiveness of community‐level interventions
Authors: Droste Nicolas , Miller Peter , Baker Tim
Published: June 2014

The present paper aims to review current evidence for the effectiveness and/or feasibility of using inter‐agency data sharing of ED recorded assault information to direct interventions reducing alcohol‐related or nightlife assaults, injury or violence. Potential data‐sharing partners involve police, local council, liquor licensing regulators and venue management. A systematic review of the peer‐reviewed literature was conducted. The initial search discovered 19 506 articles. After removal of duplicates and articles not meeting review criteria, n = 8 articles were included in quantitative and narrative synthesis. Seven of eight studies were conducted in UK EDs, with the remaining study presenting Australian data. All studies included in the review deemed data sharing a worthwhile pursuit. All studies attempting to measure intervention effectiveness reported substantial reductions of assaults and ED attendances post‐intervention, with one reporting no change. Negative logistic feasibility concerns were minimal, with general consensus among authors being that data‐sharing protocols and partnerships could be easily implemented into modern ED triage systems, with minimal cost, staff workload burden, impact to patient safety, service and anonymity, or risk of harm displacement to other licensed venues, or increase to length of patient stay. However, one study reported a potential harm displacement effect to streets surrounding intervention venues. In future, data‐sharing systems should triangulate ED, police and ambulance data sources, and assess intervention effectiveness using randomised controlled trials that account for variations in venue capacity, fluctuations in ED attendance and population levels, seasonal variations in assault and injury, and control for concurrent interventions.
MT‐7716, a potent NOP receptor agonist, preferentially reduces ethanol seeking and reinforcement in post‐dependent rats
Authors: de Guglielmo Giordano , Martin‐Fardon Rémi , Teshima Koji , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Weiss Friedbert
Published: June 2014

Dysregulation of the nociceptin (N/OFQ) system has been implicated in alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and growing evidence suggests that targeting this system may be beneficial for treating alcoholism. To further explore the treatment target potential of the N/OFQ system, the novel non‐peptide, small‐molecule N/OFQ (NOP) agonist MT‐7716, (R)‐2‐{3‐[1‐(Acenaphthen‐1‐yl)piperidin‐4‐yl]‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl}‐N‐methylacetamide hydrochloride hydrate, was examined for its effects on ethanol self‐administration and stress‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in non‐dependent and post‐dependent rats. Male Wistar rats were trained to self‐administer ethanol and then made ethanol dependent via repeated intragastric ethanol intubation. The effects of MT‐7716 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg; PO) on alcohol self‐administration were determined 2 weeks following dependence induction, when baseline self‐administration was restored. Effects of MT‐7716 on stress‐induced reinstatement were tested in separate cohorts of rats, 1 and 3 weeks post‐withdrawal. MT‐7716 reduced alcohol self‐administration and stress‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in post‐dependent rats, but was ineffective in non‐dependent animals. Moreover, the prevention of stress‐induced reinstatement by MT‐7716 was more pronounced at 3 weeks post‐dependence. The results further confirm treatment target potential for the NOP receptor and identify non‐peptide NOP agonists as promising potential treatment drugs for alcohol abuse and relapse prevention. The findings also support dysregulation of the N/OFQ system as a factor in alcohol seeking and reinforcement.
Optical correction of aphakia following unilateral infantile cataract removal
Authors: Li Qian , Fu Te , Li Zhong‐En , Bi Hong‐Sheng , Wang Xing‐Rong , Dong Min , Xin Tian
Published: June 2014

Purpose

To compare primary intra‐ocular lens (IOL) implantation with use of press‐on spherical lens for aphakia correction following unilateral infantile cataract removal.

Methods

Sixty infants with a unilateral cataract underwent cataract surgery and were randomly assigned to the IOL (A group) or no IOL group (B group). Residual refractive error was corrected with spectacles in the A group and a press‐on spherical lens was used to treat aphakia in the B group. Grating visual acuity (VA) was measured and patients were followed for up to 1 year.

Results

LogMAR VA in the operated eyes of both groups was significantly better 1 year than 1 month after surgery. Mean logMAR VA difference between 1 year and 1 month after surgery was higher in the A group (0.457 ± 0.110) than in the B group (0.323 ± 0.114, p < 0.0001). Serious inflammation occurred significantly more often in the A group than in the B group (p = 0.007). Visual axis opacity occurred more often in the A group than in the B group (pupillary membrane: A: six eyes, 20%, B: none, p = 0.024; lens reproliferation: A: 10 eyes, 33%, B: two eyes, 7%, p = 0.021). Glaucoma occurred equally in both groups (p = 0.612). No other complications occurred.

Conclusions

Primary IOL implantation appears to be a relatively safe, effective optical correction strategy following unilateral cataract extraction in this age group. Patients for whom an IOL is not suitable can be treated with a press‐on spherical lens for optical correction.
Retinal pigment epithelium cells alter the pro‐inflammatory response of retinal microglia to TLR‐3 stimulation
Authors: Klettner Alexa , Hamann Timothy , Schlüter Karen , Lucius Ralph , Roider Johann
Published: June 2014

Purpose

Microglia are the local cells of the innate immunity in the retina. Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 3 is a receptor of the innate immune system, recognizing viral double‐stranded RNA. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells express TLR‐3 and react to TLR‐3 stimulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of TLR‐3‐activated RPE on microglia.

Methods

Primary porcine RPE cells were prepared from freshly prepared pigs' eyes. Retinal microglia were prepared from porcine retina. Expression of the microglia marker Iba1 was evaluated using immunocytochemistry. RPE cells were treated with polyinosinic/polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C; 100 ng/ml, 1 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml) for 24 hr. Either the supernatant was applied to microglia for 6 or 24 hr or microglia cells were directly treated with Poly I:C for 6 and 24 hr. Expression of interleukin (IL)‐1ß, IL‐6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α, IL‐10, Cox2 and iNOS was evaluated in quantitative PCR. Phagocytosis was evaluated with a microscope‐based and a fluoroscan‐based phagocytosis assay.

Results

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells induce the expression of IL‐6, IL‐1ß and IL‐10 in microglia cells. Microglia cells respond to Poly I:C stimulation in a concentration‐dependent manner with the induction of IL‐1ß, IL‐6, TNFα, Cox2, iNOS and, to a lesser degree, IL‐10. Stimulation of microglia cells with supernatant of Poly I:C‐treated RPE cells further elevated IL‐6, IL‐1ß and Cox2 expression, while it reduced the expression of iNOS. No changes in phagocytosis could be detected.

Conclusions

TLR‐3‐activated RPE exacerbates inflammatory response of microglia in a differentiated manner. This indicates that viral infections in the RPE may have a proinflammatory influence on retinal microglia.
Cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with depression among Korean adults with coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease
Authors: So Eun Sun
Published: June 2014

Objective

This study investigated the cardiovascular risk factors associated with depression among Korean adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CBVD).

Methods

A total of 487 coronary artery disease and 434 cerebrovascular disease subjects from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed according to sex using multiple logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of depression was 21.7% in those with CAD and 25.5% in those with CBVD. The associated risk factors for depression were female sex (odds ratio [OR] 15.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44–102.03, P = 0.004), less education (OR 7.09 and 10.36, 95% CI, 1.24–40.75, 1.86–57.70 for an elementary and middle school education, respectively), and hypertension (OR 5.35; 95% CI, 1.48–19.40) in those with CAD and were female sex (OR 4.06, 95% CI, 1.12–14.76) and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.31, 95% CI, 1.36–8.05) in CBVD. These significant associations remained in males, but not in females in those with both CAD and CBVD.

Conclusions

This study found the associations between hypertension and depression in those with CAD and diabetes mellitus and depression in those with CBVD in males, but not in females. Further studies are needed to explore the associated psychosocial factors of depression in those with different CAD kinds in females.
Food Access Among Elderly Japanese People
Authors: Ishiguro Kaname
Published: June 2014

With a rapidly growing aging society, many elderly people in Japan have been facing difficulties of shopping in their daily life. Recently, this phenomenon has been found in urban areas, especially local cities. This growth of the aging society, combined with alterations to the food supply system, has caused food insecurity over a large area.The food insecurity may induce poor nutrition and disease in elderly people. The Ministries and local governments have taken measures for improving food access. Although NGOs, social organizations and the private sector manage social‐related businesses in many areas, they also rely on government funding. This paper proposes solutions for stakeholders to alleviate this considerable issue: (i) share research outcome, (ii) organize platforms for discussion, and (iii) strengthen community empowerment.
Does Effective Corporate Governance Facilitate Continuous Market Disclosure?
Authors: Seamer Michael
Published: June 2014

The focus of this study is the role of corporate governance in ensuring exchange listed companies meet their continuous disclosure (CD) obligations. In doing so it attempts to address a deficiency in the generic corporate disclosure literature by investigating the ability of corporate governance to ensure quality corporate disclosure. Despite acknowledging that disclosure is adversely affected by agency conflict and that corporate governance is an effective control of that conflict, few studies have attempted to provide empirical evidence of a link between corporate governance and corporate disclosure quality. The results of this study show that a company's corporate governance does impact on its CD performance. In particular, it provides evidence that the likelihood of a company failing its CD obligations decreases as the proportion of independent directors on the board increases. This likelihood also decreases for firms that segregate the roles of CEO and board chair. In addition, the study also shows that declining company profitability increases the risk of CD failure. These results provide an important link between the corporate governance literature and the disclosure literature. The results of this study should provide regulators and company stakeholders with evidence to continue to demand corporate governance improvements as an important tool in improving market efficiencies.
Liberal Fair Value Accounting in Banks: A South African Case Study
Authors: de Jager Phillip
Published: June 2014

Research findings on the role of fair value accounting (FVA) in the global financial crisis suggest that FVA is not applied neutrally by banks. The results of FVA are accepted when they contribute to higher profits and are actively resisted when they lead to losses. The aim of this article is to investigate how FVA is practically applied by banks in detail. The focus is on banks as most of their assets are financial instruments and thus potentially fair valued, and banks’ behaviour is significantly influenced by their regulatory environment. The research objective is pursued by using a case study of two South African banks. One of these is the largest and most systemically important bank in the South African system and the other is on the crossover between systemic and not systemic. It is found that FVA as applied by these two banks is not neutral. Also included is a demonstration of a method to derive the unrealised portion of profit and equity, the identification of the gap between assets and liabilities at fair value as the driver of where in a banking group FVA profits and losses are realised, and the finding that the restatement of comparative figures was used to circumvent the prohibition on reclassifications into and out of the ‘designated as at fair value’ category.
An Empirical Investigation of Goodwill in Austria: Evidence on Management Change and Cost of Capital
Authors: Iatridis George Emmanuel , Senftlechner Daniel
Published: June 2014

This study assesses whether new chief executive officers (CEOs) or CEOs in their early tenure carry out goodwill impairments more intensively than senior CEOs. Further, it investigates the relationship between cost of capital and goodwill, as well as whether companies that report goodwill and are audited by a Big 4 auditor display lower cost of capital. The findings show that a change in CEO does not significantly lead to higher goodwill impairments. Using Austria as a case study, the study finds that, in the years of their early tenure, CEOs in Austria generally do not adopt goodwill impairment‐related opportunistic behaviours. This study indicates that companies that have carried out goodwill impairment tend to display higher cost of capital, reflecting the potential uncertainty about their future prospects and cash generating ability. The findings show that companies that report goodwill and are audited by a Big 4 auditor tend to display lower cost of capital.
Comparing Primiparous and Multiparous Mothers in a Nurse Home Visiting Prevention Program
Authors: Lanier Paul , Jonson‐Reid Melissa
Published: June 2014

Background

An important yet overlooked feature of prominent prevention programs serving expectant mothers is the exclusion of women with children. This study examines mothers (n = 3,260) participating in a program without parity exclusion criteria, and compares demographic characteristics, risk status, service use, and child maltreatment outcomes.

Methods

A longitudinal, prospective study comparing primiparous (n = 1,890) and multiparous (n = 1,370) mothers participating in a nurse home visiting program. Patient groups are compared using bivariate and multivariate methods.

Results

Comparison by parity shows multiparous mothers had higher cumulative risk scores and individual risk factors related to maternal and child health, behavioral health, and violence exposure. Multiparous mothers were more likely to seek out services themselves and to initiate services later in the postnatal period. A significant trend exists among more children and greater caregiver stress, maternal depression, and child maltreatment. Multivariate models indicate infants of multiparous mothers have a higher risk (hazard ratio = 1.49) for later reports of child maltreatment.

Conclusions

As compared with primiparous mothers, multiparous mothers were at higher risk but had similar levels of service use. Programs limited to primiparous mothers are missing a critical opportunity for prevention. Programs serving multiparous mothers should incorporate strategies to directly address caregiver stress and postpartum depression.
Computed tomography for the diagnosis of solitary thin‐walled cavity lung cancer
Authors: Xue Xin‐ying , Liu Yu‐xia , Wang Kai‐fei , Zang Xue‐feng , Sun Jun‐ping , Zhang Ming‐yue , Yang Bing , Ao Ting , Wang Jian‐xin
Published: June 2014

Background and Aim

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Despite the high incidence of lung cancer, the diagnosis of solitary thin‐walled cavity lung cancer is rare. The aim of this review is to explore the potentials of computed tomography (CT) as diagnostic tool for solitary thin‐walled cavity lung cancer.

Method

The literature search was made in electronic databases including PudMed, Ovid SP, Embase, Web of Sciences, EBSCO and Wiley online by using relevant key terms. Because of the rarity of the subject, no precise exclusion or inclusion criteria were used for article selection and the outcome dissemination was decided to be more descriptive rather than quantitative.

Results

The detection of cavitation in lungs is frequently done utilizing chest radiographs CT scans. However, the diagnostic challenge remains the accurate detection of solitary thin‐walled cavity lung cancer among the prevalence of cavitary lung lesions in multiple thoracic disorders including benign disorders, infectious disease and malignant tumors. Moreover, an accurate diagnosis of solitary thin‐walled cavity lung cancer is further complicated by its subjective classification within the literature. In order to facilitate early diagnosis of this disease and circumvent the need for more invasive tests that may not be warranted, the overarching goal is to establish definitive radiological features of lung cavities that are indicative of malignancy. Herein, we describe the benefits of using CT to identify and diagnose solitary thin‐walled cavity lung cancer, as well as explore the underlying mechanisms that contribute to thin‐walled cavity formation in oncology patients.

Conclusion

CT is the best modality for the noninvasive differentiation between malignant and nonmalignant cavities as it provides reliable information regarding the morphology and density of lesions. Besides, CT densitometry can efficiently detect the calcifications in lesions.
Tacrolimus dosage requirements in lung transplant recipients receiving antifungal prophylaxis with voriconazole followed by itraconazole: a preliminary prospective study
Authors: Enderby Cher Y. , Heckman Michael G. , Thomas Colleen S. , Keller Cesar A.
Published: June 2014

Background

Concomitant administration of the triazole antifungals, voriconazole or itraconazole, with tacrolimus can result in significant drug interaction in the transplant recipient. Limited published information exists regarding tacrolimus dosing when transitioning from voriconazole to itraconazole. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of the drug interaction with antifungal prophylaxis using voriconazole followed by a change to itraconazole in lung transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus.

Methods

This prospective study included lung transplant recipients receiving antifungal prophylaxis with voriconazole followed by a switch to itraconazole. Patients were followed from the time of transplant until two months after converting to itraconazole. All patients received standard immunosuppression with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and a corticosteroid. Tacrolimus dose normalized concentrations using concentration/dose ratio were compared while receiving voriconazole versus itraconazole.

Results

Twenty lung transplant recipients were included in the final analysis. No difference was found with the tacrolimus dose normalized concentrations on voriconazole 254 ± 28 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg) compared with itraconazole 234 ± 34 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg), p = 0.65.

Conclusion

Tacrolimus dosage adjustments were not necessary when converting from voriconazole to itraconazole. Validation in a larger population is needed to confirm these findings.
Renal denervation in multiple renal arteries
Authors: Verloop Willemien L. , Vink Eva E. , Spiering Wilko , Blankestijn Peter J. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Bots Michiel L. , Vonken Evert‐jan , Voskuil Michiel
Published: June 2014

Background

In most previous studies investigating efficacy of renal denervation (RDN), patients with multiple renal arteries are generally excluded from treatment. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of multiple renal arteries in patients referred for RDN, to propose a classification for anatomical eligibility and to investigate the relation between the presence of multiple arteries and blood pressure (BP)‐lowering effect.

Materials and methods

Patients referred for RDN who underwent noninvasive imaging of the renal arteries before treatment were included in present analysis. Eligible patients were treated. Renal function and BP were evaluated 6 months after treatment.

Results

Hundred and twenty‐six patients referred for RDN were included in present analysis. Thirty‐four per cent had multiple arteries. Sixty‐nine patients underwent RDN. Office BP significantly reduced from 195 (± 26)/ 106 (± 14) mmHg to 165 (± 24)/ 95 (± 14) mmHg (P < 0·001). BP reduction in patients with multiple arteries which were all treated was comparable to patients with solitary arteries. However, patients with multiple which were not all treated showed a trend towards a less pronounced effect of RDN (β: 11·6, P = 0·11). The proposed classification appeared useful by identifying eligible anatomy. Renal function at 6 months did not differ from baseline in all subgroups.

Conclusions

Based on our results and the high prevalence of multiple arteries, it seems reasonable not to exclude patients with multiple renal arteries from RDN. Current analysis suggests that BP reduction may be less pronounced in patients with multiple renal arteries of whom not all arteries were treated.