bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of policy, practices, and players governing and involved in the United States vaccine and immunization enterprise
Authors: Shen Angela K. , Tsai Alice Y. , Birkhead Guthrie S.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the organization and governance of the US vaccine and immunization enterprise. It describes the major components of the US system including the various relationships between major federal government entities, stakeholders, and advisory committees that inform government policymaking at various points in the system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors describe the complex interdependent network of partners that engage in a wide range of activities such as disease surveillance, research, vaccine development, regulatory licensure, practice recommendations, financing, service delivery, communications, and post-licensure monitoring.

Findings

The US system of governance is highly participatory and focuses on a transparent and open engagement, with input from a wide range of partners to inform decision-making. This collaborative framework allows many inputs to be heard and helps support the US vaccine and immunization system as it evolves to meet the continued public health needs in the USA through the optimal use of safe and effective vaccines.

Originality/value

This is an invited article on the US vaccine and immunization enterprise. The development and availability of vaccines in the USA has had profound impact on mortality and morbidity and public health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). The success of this enterprise is a result of a blended public and private sector system with partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels of government to optimize the use of safe and effective vaccines. Governance structures have been established to support the interaction and decision-making among the federal and non-federal actors toward the common goal of controlling and preventing infectious diseases.
Managing portfolio interdependencies
Authors: Killen Catherine P.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve decision quality, and therefore project and portfolio success, by testing the influence of different visual representations of interdependency data in a simulated decision experiment. A network mapping approach to visualize project interdependencies is introduced and compared with matrix and tabular displays.

Design/methodology/approach

A simulated decision task in a controlled classroom setting tested five hypotheses though a sample of 480 experiments.

Findings

The type of data representation used is associated with differing levels of decision quality, and the use of network mapping displays is aligned with the best results.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited as this experiment-based study presented a simplified decision scenario and involved students rather than practicing managers. The findings are best interpreted in combination with organization-based research.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that visual data displays, particularly network mapping displays, can provide benefits and improve project portfolio decision quality. Managers may draw upon this study to design ways to include visual data representations in their project portfolio management decision processes.

Originality/value

This study uses experimentation to complement organization-based studies to better understand the influence of different methods of visualizing data and managing interdependencies between projects. This research provides an important contribution to meet the acknowledged need for better tools to understand and manage project interdependencies.
Marketing by, for and of the project: project marketing by three types of organizations
Authors: Rodney Turner John , Lecoeuvre Laurence
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to place project marketing within the framework of organizational project management. There has been an ongoing discussion in the project marketing literature about whether project marketing is part of project management or project management is part of project marketing. Marketing is done by organizations to create a demand for products or services that have value for customers. The authors identify three types of organization involved in the management of projects, the project, the initiator and the contractor, and review current thinking on how they market their products and services, and create networks and dialogs to bring value to stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the literature on project marketing, and develop new models based on an organizational perspective. The authors develop propositions as a basis for further research.

Findings

Marketing is done by three types of organization. The authors label these as marketing BY the project, marketing FOR the project by the contractor, and marketing OF the investment made by the project by the investor. The authors draw links with marketing theory, and introduce the service-dominant logic as a new perspective on organizational project marketing.

Research limitations/implications

Traditionally, project marketing theory has taken the perspective of the overlap between project management and project marketing. The authors take an organizational perspective, and identify avenues for research into how the types of organization involved in the management of projects create dialog with their customers and stakeholders to exchange products and services that have value for them.

Practical implications

Project managers have not traditionally viewed project marketing as having relevance to them. The authors show that providing a service to stakeholders is an essential part of the management of projects.

Originality/value

The authors develop directions for research into project marketing as part of organizational project management.
Suppliers’ software development project start-up practices
Authors: Merikoski Helena , Savolainen Paula , Ahonen Jarmo J.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a life cycle phase of a software development project which is substantial for the success of the project. This paper visualizes the project start-up phase from suppliers’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is a theory building from case studies. The data were collected from three software supplier firms by conducting process modeling separately in each firm.

Findings

The study resulted in a model of a supplier’s software project start-up which includes start-up practices and involved roles. The results indicate that project start-up is an integral and structured phase of project life cycle, which influences the execution of a software development project, especially from the supplier’s perspective in the project business context.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on the start-up phase of software development projects delivered to external customers. Therefore, developed project start-up model is applicable as such in software supplier firms.

Practical implications

The project start-up model presented in this paper indicates that project start-up is a complex and multi-dimensional activity in a supplier firm. This study suggests that if the project start-up phase is clearly defined, planned and followed in a supplier firm, it reduces confusion and miscommunication among the people involved in the project and helps to achieve the business goals of a project.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes that it is necessary to make a distinction between the perspectives of the customer and the supplier when studying projects in the project business context. The findings contribute the new knowledge for managing outsourced software development projects.
Stakeholder defined
Authors: McGrath Stephen Keith , Whitty Stephen Jonathan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a “refined” (with unnecessary elements removed) definition of the term stakeholder, thereby removing confusion surrounding the use of this term from the general and project management arenas.

Design/methodology/approach

A method of deriving refined definitions for a group of terms by ensuring there are no unnecessary elements causing internal conflict or overlap is adopted and applied to resolve the confusion.

Findings

The refined definitions of stake and stakeholder are in terms of an interest and activity. This avoids all extensions of meaning introduced by defining particular types of stakeholders and/ or their degrees of impact. It also resolves the multiplicity of conflicting meanings possible when silent or assumed qualifiers of a word are ignored, restricting definition to, for example, project stakeholders or stakeholders of a firm. These definitions are carried forward into a mapping of the stakeholder locus of interest on an activity rather than a company base, enabling generic categorisation of stakeholders to be proposed for use in both private and public sectors. A governance difficulty with the term customer also emerged and a resolution to this is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

Resolution of the academic contention around the definition of stakeholders will facilitate future research endeavours by removing confusion surrounding the term. It can also provide clarity in governance arrangements in public and private sectors. Verification of the method used through its success in deriving this “refined” definition suggests its suitability for application to other contested terms.

Practical implications

Projects and businesses alike can benefit from removal of confusion around the definition of stakeholder in the academic research they fund and attempt to apply.

Social implications

A refined definition of the stakeholder concept will facilitate building social and physical systems and infrastructure, benefitting organisations, whether public, charitable or private.

Originality/value

Clarity results in the avoidance of confusion and misunderstanding together with their consequent waste of time, resources and money.
Interplay between performance measurement and management, employee engagement and performance
Authors: Smith Marisa , Bititci Umit Sezer
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognise the importance of the interplay between performance measurement, performance management, employee engagement and performance. However, the nature of this phenomenon is not well understood. Analysis of the literature reveals two dimensions of organisational control, technical and social, that are used to develop a conceptual framework for studying this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted explorative action research involving pilot and control groups from two departments of a UK bank.

Findings

The authors show that an intervention on the social controls has led to changes in technical controls of the performance measurement system resulting in significant improvement in employee engagement and performance.

Research limitations/implications

The research was undertaken with two cases from a single organisation. Further fine-grained, longitudinal research is required to fully understand this phenomenon in a wider range of contexts.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to the theory on performance measures and gives guidance on how organisations might design their performance measurement systems to enhance employee engagement and performance.

Originality/value

The study makes three contributions. First, the authors introduce a new theoretical framework based the organisational control theory providing a basis for future research. Second, through nine propositions, the authors establish a causal relationship between performance measurement, performance management, employee engagement and performance. Third, the authors identify a gap in knowledge concerning the design of organisational controls in the context of the process that is being managed.
Supply chain management and activity-based costing
Authors: Hofmann Erik , Bosshard Jan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarize and analyze what is known regarding activity-based costing (ABC) applications in the context of supply chain management (SCM). The authors present a reference framework for practical implications and areas for future research in intra-firm and inter-organizational environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings underlie a systematic review methodology. Research gaps and guidance for further publications are derived from the reference framework based on ABC and SCM literature.

Findings

The review illustrates four main areas for further research: determination of the role of management accounting in SCM (including supply chain finance), integration of time-driven ABC with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and automatic data collection, analysis of inter-organizational management tools in supply chains in multiple negotiation rounds, and standardization of cost accounting data in supply chains.

Practical implications

The review provides practitioners with three main recommendations: ABC applications require a solid data basis, organizational readiness, commitment from senior management, and an ABC management philosophy; open book accounting for inter-organizational cost information-sharing purposes needs institutional arrangements and economic incentive systems; and sharing costs and benefits among supply chain members requires a change of managers’ mind-set.

Originality/value

This paper reveals practical implications and provides new directions for research based on the reference framework. The paper contributes to the interdisciplinary topic between SCM and management accounting by providing a structured overview of 87 peer-reviewed articles from 1992 to 2016.
Education for sustainable development: an exploratory study in a Portuguese University
Authors: Torres Ricardo , Vieira Rui Marques , Rodrigues Ana V. , Sá Patrícia , Moreira Gillian
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The research aims to evaluate whether this educational approach is being implemented in a Portuguese public university and looking for explicit references to education for sustainable development (ESD) in the online descriptions of course units (CU).

Design/methodology/approach

The research design adopted for this qualitative research follows the principles of a case study with exploratory, multiple and collective features.

Findings

It was possible to find direct matches with key ESD expressions in fifteen of CU. In addition, nine CU were identified in the second stage of analysis of the teacher training master programmes.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this study which the authors identified, and which was responsible for considerably reducing the probability of finding matches, was that only results in which the key expressions appeared in the description of the CU in exactly the same form as in the research instrument were recorded.

Practical implications

The need for an educational programme for teachers to be developed and implemented in the near future.

Social implications

A training workshop will be proposed with the main aim of supporting teaching staff in making the necessary shift in their pedagogical practices to include a ESD orientation in their CU.

Originality/value

The instrument eveloped that appears in Appendix - Analysis Tool with key ESD expressions.
Analyzing the relationship between exploration, exploitation and organizational innovation
Authors: Guisado-González Manuel , González-Blanco Jennifer , Coca-Pérez José Luis
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Although most of the literature supports the existence of a substitutive relationship between exploration and exploitation, some authors suggest that this relationship is complementary (ambidexterity), and others argue that there is no relationship. This paper aims to introduce organizational innovation into the analysis and discusses which of these three relationships prevails.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyses were performed using data from Spanish Technological Innovation Panel for the period 2008-2013. It should be emphasized that the use of panel data is essential in the analysis of the interaction of exploration and exploitation, as exploration only makes sense in the long run. Econometric strategy uses a two-stage selection model, estimated using the Wooldridge’s (1995) consistent estimator for panel data with sample selection. To perform the test, the hypothesis uses the approach of complementarity.

Findings

The results show that the relationships exploration-organizational innovation and exploitation-organizational innovation are complementary, provided that the analysis is performed on companies that simultaneously carry out exploration and exploitation activities, respectively. This indicates that the achievement of ambidexterity is strongly conditioned by the simultaneous realization of organizational innovations.

Practical implications

Managers and policymakers should be aware that the simultaneous implementation of exploration and exploitation yields better results when the corresponding organizational innovations are also implemented.

Originality/value

This paper extends the empirical investigation of the relationship between exploration and exploitation, seen in conjunction with organizational innovation, and using the complementarity approach as a research tool.
The influence of knowledge absorptive capacity on shared value creation in social enterprises
Authors: Campos-Climent Vanessa , Sanchis-Palacio Joan Ramon
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In downturns, social enterprises (SEs) arise as a resilience business model. The authors focus on knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) as a key dynamic capability to create shared value (SHV). The purpose of this study is to analyze whether it exists a cause-effect relationship between KAC and SHV creation in SEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model relates KAC and SHV creation. SHV creation involves two components: economic value (EV) and social value (SV). The authors argue that KAC has a positive effect on EV and SV creation, considering SV as a mediator variable. The model is tested by means of PLS-SEM.

Findings

The results reveal the existence of a positive and significant relationship between KAC and SHV creation, as well as the mediating role of SV creation.

Research limitations/implications

The sample comprises 127 SEs from the Euro-Mediterranean region (euro-region comprising areas from France and Spain), it would be interesting to include other euro-regions in future research.

Practical implications

The authors confirm KAC as an important antecedent of SHV creation and also that SEs create EV by means of SV, pointing to the existence of direct and indirect effects. This way, confirming the existence of a mediating effect.

Originality/value

It points the importance of KAC in SEs, something that has not been addressed before by the literature. It also goes beyond performance by considering SHV creation as a measure of SEs’ outcomes, as well as the definition of the variable SHV including not only social related issues but also environmental (green) issues.
An investigation of factors affecting knowledge sharing amongst UK academics
Authors: Fullwood Roger , Rowley Jennifer
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct and investigate relationships between knowledge-sharing factors, attitude and the intention to share of UK academics, as research on knowledge sharing in higher education is extremely sparse.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model and hypotheses were constructed from individual and organisational factors that were identified to affect knowledge sharing. Questionnaire data were obtained from 367 academics concerning their attitude and intention towards knowledge sharing. This was then used in a two-stage structural equation modelling approach where the measurement model was used for confirmatory factor analysis. The structural model was used to measure and test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

Findings indicate that, in general, individual beliefs amongst academics were more influential on their knowledge-sharing attitudes than organisational culture. Furthermore, leadership was the most influential factor within the overall organisational culture whereas autonomy demonstrated the weakest relationship. Belief in the possibility of rewards through associations was found to be a highly significant individual factor. The relationship between attitude and intention was relatively weak although still statistically significant.

Originality/value

The research demonstrates that management should ensure that departmental leaders promote knowledge sharing and that valued rewards are linked to sharing within the department.
Moderating effects of guanxi and face on the relationship between psychological motivation and knowledge-sharing in China
Authors: Ding Guanqi , Liu Hefu , Huang Qian , Gu Jibao
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how psychological motivations influence the knowledge-sharing intention of employees and how these effects are moderated by traditional Chinese culture.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted in China to test the research model. The target samples comprised MBA students who have enough practical experience, as well as considerable academic experience.

Findings

The results suggest that anticipated reciprocal relationships, anticipated extrinsic rewards and sense of self-worth exert different effects on knowledge-sharing intention. In addition, traditional Chinese culture plays different roles in the relationships among these three psychological motivations and knowledge-sharing intention. Specifically, guanxi orientation positively moderates the effect of anticipated reciprocal relationships and negatively moderates the effect of sense of self-worth. Face gaining negatively moderates the effect of anticipated reciprocal relationships and positively moderates the effect of sense of self-worth. Face saving negatively moderates the effect of anticipated reciprocal relationships and sense of self-worth.

Originality/value

A few studies in extant knowledge management (KM) literature provided insights into how traditional Chinese culture could directly affect knowledge sharing. The authors depart from these studies by integrating these characteristic indigenous concepts (i.e. face and guanxi orientation) into this study. The authors offer an indigenous cultural view of how these indigenous concepts truly influence an individual’s psychological states and inclination in KM literature. Through this approach, the results confirm that these cultural factors do play an important role during the formation of knowledge-sharing intention and reveals several important research findings.
Ambidexterity of employees: the role of empowerment and knowledge sharing
Authors: Caniëls Marjolein C.J. , Neghina Carmen , Schaetsaert Nico
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study is to empirically test the link between employee ambidexterity and two supportive organizational cultures, namely, a perceived culture of empowerment and a knowledge-sharing culture. Furthermore, the paper addresses the mechanisms through which these supportive organizational cultures work to enable employees to engage in ambidextrous behaviour. Specifically, the role of intrinsic motivation is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 136 managers employed in the five main Belgian service sectors.

Findings

The findings indicate that a perceived culture of empowerment is positively related to intrinsic motivation, which in turn facilitates employee ambidexterity. Also, a moderating effect of extrinsic motivation on employee ambidextrous behaviour is found. At the same time, a perceived knowledge-sharing culture is having no effect on ambidexterity or intrinsic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

Insights into the roles of individuals in achieving ambidexterity help to advance the theoretical understanding of how a supportive organizational context may enhance employee ambidexterity.

Originality/value

Despite the growing body of research on antecedents of ambidexterity, there is still lack of thorough understanding of how a supportive organizational context may enhance employee ambidexterity and the roles of individuals in achieving ambidexterity. This is one of the first studies that investigate these factors in relation to individual level ambidexterity (as opposed to organization level ambidexterity).
Knowledge transfer in international asymmetric alliances: the key role of translation, artifacts, and proximity
Authors: Korbi Fadia Bahri , Chouki Mourad
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the issue of knowledge transfer in the context of international asymmetric alliances. The objective is mainly to identify the barriers that can impede the knowledge transfer between asymmetric partners and to analyze the solutions adopted to overcome these barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a qualitative study involving six cases of asymmetric alliances between Tunisian small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and European multinational corporations (MNCs).

Findings

The results of this research highlight a set of obstacles related to the context of asymmetric alliance itself and the nature of knowledge transferred by partners. The study emphasizes the importance of translation using artefacts by both partners and proximity with its geographical, organizational and technological dimensions to overcome these obstacles.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation of knowledge transfer in asymmetric alliances was based on the role played by only three proximity dimensions (geographical, organizational and technological), while other factors, such as institutional, social and cultural issues, were not considered. Indeed, future research may take these variables into account in studying solutions to overcome knowledge-transfer barriers in asymmetric alliances.

Practical implications

The paper calls the attention of asymmetric alliance managers to the importance of translation to perform work processes, facilitate knowledge transfer and overcome linguistic barriers. Managers should use virtual artefacts to reduce the constraints resulting from their geographical remoteness and to strengthen cooperation. Further, reinforcing geographical, organizational and technological proximity between partners involved in an international alliance is essential to facilitate knowledge transfer, essentially of tacit knowledge, and to accelerate innovation.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the importance of the simultaneous role of artefacts, translation and proximity in overcoming obstacles related to the asymmetric alliance itself and the nature of knowledge transferred by partners. The results shed light on the issue of knowledge generation in asymmetric alliances.
Compulsory purchase and compensation update 2017
Authors: Sams Gary
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an annual update on case law relating to compulsory purchase and compensation.

Design/methodology/approach

Researching decisions made by the Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) in the field of compensation. Commentary on the legal and valuation implications of a selection of those cases is provided.

Findings

In the last year, there have been a number of interesting cases concerning residual valuations, blight caused by HS2, and Tree Preservation Orders.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by the case law available in the last 12 months and this has been a relatively quiet year.

Practical implications

The commentary should assist practitioners to formulate claims for compensation having regard to recent developments in case law.

Originality/value

Its originality and value lies in the fact that it is based on recent legal decisions which have not yet been widely reported.
Cross-listing of real estate investment trusts (REITs)
Authors: Ho Kim Hin David , Addae-Dapaah Kwame , Peck Fang Rui Lina
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the common stock price reaction and the changes to the risk exposure of the cross-listing for real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the event study methodology to assess the abnormal returns (ARs). Pre- and post-cross-listing changes in the risk exposure for the domestic and foreign markets are examined, via a modified two-factor international asset pricing model. A comparison is made for two broad cross-listings, namely, the depositary receipts and the dual ordinary listings, to examine the impacts from institutional differences.

Findings

Cross-listed REITs generally experience positive and significant ARs throughout the event window, implying significant superior returns associated with the cross-listing for REITs. On systematic risks, REITs exhibit significant decline in their domestic market β coefficients after the cross-listing. However, the foreign market β coefficients do not yield conclusive evidence when compared across the sample.

Research limitations/implications

Results are consistent with prudential asset allocation for potential diversification gains from the cross-listing, as the reduction from the domestic market beta is more significant than changes in the foreign market beta.

Practical implications

The results and findings should incentivise REIT managers to explore viable cross-listing.

Social implications

Such cross-listing for REITs should enhance risk diversification.

Originality/value

This is a pioneer study on cross-listing of REITs. It provides a basis for investment decision making, and could provoke further research and discussion.
Behavior of structural tunnel elements exposed to fire and mechanical loading
Authors: Siemon Matthias , Zehfuß Jochen
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Incidents like the fire in the Channel Tunnel, where severe concrete spalling was determined, have led to requirements in limiting the spalling depth and involved zone to local and compatible magnitudes. Because the prevention of critical concrete spalling was also significant for the validity of the load-carrying capacity calculation for an existing railway tunnel, this paper aimed to investigate the spalling behavior of two contemplable concrete mixtures. The large-scale tests should show the load-carrying capacity over the whole duration of the fire exposure respecting all thermal and mechanical loads considered in the calculations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the fire behavior of two concrete mixtures for an existing railway tunnel are investigated. Small-scale tests prior to the main tests were conducted to identify an appropriate concrete mixture for the large-scale tests. During the large-scale tests, a tunnel segment is loaded with horizontal and vertical loads derived from a calculation taking into account the existing boundary conditions. Resulting restraint forces were calculated using the soil stiffness and tunnel fire design curve as fire scenario and applied via hydraulic jacks. To avoid additional restraint forces during the experiment, thermal strains due to fire exposure were allowed.

Findings

The results of the small-scale tests did not allow for a clear statement whether one concrete mixture would perform better regarding the spalling behavior. The two large-scale tests showed different results regarding the spalling behavior. Over the whole duration of fire exposure, the first test specimen remains nearly undamaged. During the test of the second specimen, spalling started about 3 min after burner activation. Because of the results, a suggestion for the concrete mixture of the first test was made, and this mixture was then used for the redevelopment of the existing railway tunnel.

Originality/value

The test setup was capable of incorporating all relevant boundary conditions for the analysis of an existing railway tunnel as part of an important north – south connection. The results have shown that a fire-proof construction is possible by adding polypropylene fibers to the concrete mixture. Additionally, it was possible to avoid the mounting of expensive and time-consuming fire protection measures like the installation of thermal insulation boards.
Working capital requirements of manufacturing SMEs: evidence from emerging economy
Authors: Singh Harsh Pratap , Kumar Satish
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of various factors like profitability, growth opportunity, financial leverage, assets tangibility, operating cash flows, age and size of firm on working capital requirements (WCR) of manufacturing SMEs in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a panel data regression model with fixed and random effect estimations. The data utilized in this study includes financial data of 254 manufacturing SMEs operating in India for the period 2010 to 2014.

Findings

The overall results of the study indicate that operating cash flow, financial leverage, profitability, sales growth and asset tangibility are the key drivers of WCR for Indian manufacturing SMEs. Profitability of firm and sales growth are found to be positively related to WCR. In contrast, asset tangibility, operating cash flow and financial leverage are found to be negatively related to WCR.

Research limitations/implications

This paper investigates firm-specific factors while ignoring external factors like GDP growth, business indicators and industry type. Further research can be done to assess the effect of these external factors on WCR.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the working capital literature by providing empirical evidence on determining factors of WCR in manufacturing SMEs.
The ethics of researching one's own practice
Authors: Helps Sarah
Published: July 2017

Practice‐based research is increasingly utilized as a postmodern, qualitative research method. It can help systemic practitioners understand, develop and communicate about their everyday practice to others. In this article I review some of the literature on practitioner research and focus on the challenges of researching one's own practice. Using illustrative examples from transcripts and field notes gathered during my research on how I begin conversations with families who seek a diagnostic assessment for an autism spectrum condition for their child, I explore the ethics involved in the twofold task of providing a clinical service and conducting systematic research. I argue that a dynamic relational ethics of care can be employed to navigate the challenges of adopting a dual research and clinical focus.

Practitioner points

Navigating the dual task of ‘doing’ clinical practice and researching that practice is ethically complex

The complexity should not be avoided and can be safely managed using a dynamic relational ethics of care

Insider research exploring one's own practice fits neatly within a postmodern, social constructionist epistemology and with contemporary reflexive systemic practice
Cyproterone acetate in the treatment of oestrogen hypersensitivity vulvovaginitis
Authors: Nguyen Yvonne , Bradford Jennifer , Fischer Gayle
Published: July 2017

Oestrogen hypersensitivity vulvovaginitis is a rare chronic cyclical vulvovaginitis responsive to oestrogen suppression or antagonism. We present a case series of 16 patients with refractory cyclical vulvovaginitis, all of whom responded to oestrogen suppression with cyproterone acetate.
Long‐term effects: Galectin‐1 and specific immunotherapy for allergic responses in the intestine
Authors: Yang L.‐T. , Shu Q. , Luo X.‐Q. , Liu Z.‐Q. , Qiu S.‐Q. , Liu J.‐Q. , Guo H.‐J. , Li L.‐J. , Li M.‐G. , Liu D.‐B. , Xia L.‐X. , Liu Z.‐G. , Yang P.‐C.
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims

Mast cell activation interferes with the effects of allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT). Galectin‐1 (Gal‐1) is capable of regulating immune cells’ functions. This study tests the hypothesis that administration of Gal‐1 promotes and prolongs the efficacy of SIT via suppressing mast cell activation.

Methods

An intestinal allergy mouse model was developed. The coadministration of SIT and Gal‐1 on suppression of the allergic responses, prevention of mast cell activation, and generation of antigen‐specific regulatory T cells (Treg) in the intestine was observed in sensitized mice.

Results

The coadministration of Gal‐1 and SIT markedly suppressed the allergic responses in the mouse intestine vs the use of either SIT alone or Gal‐1 alone. The Gal‐1 binds to the IgE/FcɛRI complexes on the surface of mast cells to prevent mast cell activation during SIT. Gal‐1 promoted the SIT‐generated allergen‐specific Tregs in the intestine of sensitized mice. Coadministration of Gal‐1 and SIT significantly enhanced the efficacy of immunotherapy in suppressing allergic responses in the intestine, which lasted for at least for 12 months.

Conclusions

Long‐term effects of specific immunotherapy on intestinal allergy can be achieved with Gal‐1/SIT therapy by inhibiting mast cell activation and facilitating Treg development.
Discovering long‐term potentiation (LTP) – recollections and reflections on what came after
Authors: Lømo T.
Published: July 2017

Chance events led me to a lifelong career in scientific research. They paved the way for being the first to see long‐term potentiation of synaptic efficiency (LTP) in Per Andersen's laboratory in Oslo in 1966. Here I describe my way to this discovery and the experiments with Tim Bliss in 1968–1969 that led to Bliss and Lømo, 1973. Surprisingly, we later failed to reproduce these results. I discuss possible reasons for this failure, which made us both leave LTP research, in my case for good, in Tim's case for several years. After 30 years of work in a different field, I renewed my interest in the hippocampus and LTP in the early 2000s and published, for the first time, results that I had obtained 40 years earlier. Here I present my take on how interest in and research on LTP evolved after the early years. This includes a discussion of the functions of hippocampus as seen in those early days, the case of patient H.M., Donald Hebb's place in the story, the search for ‘memory molecules’ such as PKMζ, and the primary site for LTP expression (pre‐ and/or post‐synaptic?). Throughout, I reflect on my life in science, how science is done and what drives it. The reflections are quite personal and I admit to mixed feelings about broadcasting them.
Response to therapy of papillary thyroid cancer of known BRAF status
Authors: Kowalska Aldona , Walczyk Agnieszka , Kowalik Artur , Pałyga Iwona , Gąsior‐Perczak Danuta , Trybek Tomasz , Kopczyński Janusz , Kajor Maciej , Mikina Estera , Szymonek Monika , Gadawska‐Juszczyk Klaudia , Szyska‐Skrobot Dorota , Lizis‐Kolus Katarzyna , Hurej Stefan , Chrapek Magdalena , Chłopek Małgorzata , Góźdź Stanisław
Published: July 2017

Objective

A dynamic risk stratification with modified initial estimated risk based on response to therapy and disease course is one of the crucial changes adopted recently by the American Thyroid Association (ATA). This approach focuses on an individualized risk‐adapted approach to the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. The BRAF V600E mutation is the most common genetic alteration in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, the prognostic value of this mutation remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to examine the relation between the BRAF V600E status in PTC and all ATA response‐to‐therapy categories, as well as the recurrence and persistence of both biochemical disease and structural disease.

Patients

Unselected PTC cases with known BRAF status diagnosed from 2000 to 2013 and actively monitored at one institution (n=723) were reviewed retrospectively.

The association between the BRAF V600E mutation and clinicopathological characteristics, ATA 2015 response‐to‐therapy category, recurrence after a period of no evidence of disease (NED) and persistent biochemical or structural disease, was analysed.

Results

BRAF V600E was found in 65.7% (475/723) of PTC cases. Although BRAF mutation status correlated significantly with certain clinicopathological prognostic factors, there was no correlation with any of the response‐to‐therapy categories. Recurrences and persistent biochemical or structural disease were not associated with BRAF status.

Conclusions

Our data are consistent with those of other studies reporting a positive relation between BRAF V600E mutation and poor prognostic factors in PTC; however, the BRAF status did not significantly correlate with a response to therapy.
Private Landowner Conservation Behavior Following Participation in Voluntary Incentive Programs: Recommendations to Facilitate Behavioral Persistence
Authors: Dayer Ashley A. , Lutter Seth H. , Sesser Kristin A. , Hickey Catherine M. , Gardali Thomas
Published: July 2017

Voluntary incentive programs are a keystone policy tool for increasing private landowner conservation behavior. Although landowner participation in conservation incentive programs is well studied, limited empirical research has focused on whether and why landowners continue to conduct conservation practices on their land after payments end, which we term persistence. The assumption is that a landowner who participates in an incentive program will likely continue the conservation practice after the payments end. This assumption fits with conservation policies that limit the number of years or times a landowner can receive payments for a given practice. If persistence occurs, it would provide cost‐effective outcomes from conservation funding investments. However, there is little published information to support persistence. Based on the narrow body of research on persistence of landowner conservation behavior, as well as persistence research in other fields, we identified five pathways that may support persistence outcomes and insights for when persistence could be expected. We then provide recommendations for policy, practice, and research. With billions of dollars invested annually in programs to incentivize landowners to take conservation action, an empirical examination of landowner conservation behavior persistence is sorely needed for shaping more effective incentive programs and policies.
Reproducibility of endometrial cytology by the Osaki Study Group Method: Methodological issues
Authors: Sabour S.
Published: July 2017

This letter discusses the statistical issues that may arise in studies looking at reproducibility between observers.
Luseogliflozin improves liver fat deposition compared to metformin in type 2 diabetes patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Shibuya Takashi , Fushimi Nobutoshi , Kawai Miyuka , Yoshida Yohei , Hachiya Hiroki , Ito Shun , Kawai Hiromi , Ohashi Noritsugu , Mori Akihiro
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to assess the effect of luseogliflozin on liver fat deposition and compare luseogliflozin to metformin in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thirty‐two T2D patients with NAFLD diagnosed by computed tomography or abdominal sonography were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either luseogliflozin (2.5 mg, newly administered) or metformin (1500 mg, newly or additionally administrated). Data on the liver‐to‐spleen attenuation ratio (L/S), visceral fat area, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting plasma glucose, C‐peptide immunoreactivity (CPR), and CPR index were collected at baseline and after 6 months. The change in L/S was significantly greater in the luseogliflozin group than in the metformin group. Similarly, the changes in the visceral fat area, HbA1c, and body mass index were significantly greater in the luseogliflozin group than in the metformin group. The changes in ALT, fasting glucose, CPR, and CPR index were not significant in both groups. In conclusion, luseogliflozin significantly reduced liver fat deposition as compared to metformin, which may indicate clinical relevant benefits for NAFLD.
Staged Treatment in Early Psychosis: A sequential multiple assignment randomised trial of interventions for ultra high risk of psychosis patients
Authors: Nelson Barnaby , Amminger G. Paul , Yuen Hok Pan , Wallis Nicky , J. Kerr Melissa , Dixon Lisa , Carter Cameron , Loewy Rachel , Niendam Tara A. , Shumway Martha , Morris Sarah , Blasioli Julie , McGorry Patrick D.
Published: July 2017

Aim

Previous research indicates that preventive intervention is likely to benefit patients “at risk” of psychosis, in terms of functional improvement, symptom reduction and delay or prevention of onset of threshold psychotic disorder. The primary aim of the current study is to test outcomes of ultra high risk (UHR) patients, primarily functional outcome, in response to a sequential intervention strategy consisting of support and problem solving (SPS), cognitive‐behavioural case management and antidepressant medication. A secondary aim is to test biological and psychological variables that moderate and mediate response to this sequential treatment strategy.

Methods

This is a sequential multiple assignment randomised trial (SMART) consisting of three steps: Step 1: SPS (1.5 months); Step 2: SPS vs Cognitive Behavioural Case Management (4.5 months); Step 3: Cognitive Behavioural Case Management + Antidepressant Medication vs Cognitive Behavioural Case Management + Placebo (6 months). The intervention is of 12 months duration in total and participants will be followed up at 18 months and 24 months post baseline.

Conclusion

This paper reports on the rationale and protocol of the Staged Treatment in Early Psychosis (STEP) study. With a large sample of 500 UHR participants this study will investigate the most effective type and sequence of treatments for improving functioning and reducing the risk of developing psychotic disorder in this clinical population.
Relationships between the frequency and severity of non‐suicidal self‐injury and suicide attempts in youth with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Andrewes Holly E. , Hulbert Carol , Cotton Susan M. , Betts Jennifer , Chanen Andrew M.
Published: July 2017

Aim

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a recognized indicator of suicide risk. Yet, the ubiquity of this behaviour in borderline personality disorder (BPD) limits its utility as a predictor of risk. Consequently, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between other features of NSSI, including frequency and severity, and suicide attempts.

Method

Participants included 107 youth (15 to 25 year olds) with BPD who were assessed for BPD severity, depressive symptoms, 12‐month frequency of NSSI and suicide attempts, as well as the levels of treatment sought following each self‐harm event.

Results

Three‐quarters (75.7%) of youth with BPD reported NSSI and two‐thirds (66.4%) reported a suicide attempt over the previous 12 months. The frequency of NSSI over the previous 12 months did not show a linear or quadratic relationship with the number of suicide attempts when adjusting for severity of depression, impulsivity and interpersonal problems. NSSI severity was not associated with more frequent suicide attempts. Only impulsivity and depression were uniquely predictive of suicide attempt frequency. A relative increase in the frequency and severity of NSSI occurred in the months prior to a suicide attempt.

Conclusion

The prevalence of NSSI and suicide attempts among youth presenting for their first treatment of BPD appear to be perilously high, considerably higher than rates reported by adults with BPD. Findings suggest that clinicians should give more weight to average levels of impulsivity and depression, rather than the absolute frequency and severity of NSSI, when assessing for risk of suicide attempts. Notwithstanding this, a relative increase in the frequency and severity of NSSI appears to be predictive of a forthcoming suicide attempt.