bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coordinating cereal farmers and buyers: evidence from Mali
Authors: Vroegindewey Ryan , Theriault Veronique , Staatz John 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how various transaction-cost characteristics influence the choice of vertical coordination (VC) structures (e.g. different contract types) and horizontal coordination (HC) structures (e.g. different farmer organization types) to link smallholder farmers efficiently with buyers. It analyzes the relationship between vertical and horizontal structures, and the economic sustainability of different structure combinations.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper develops a conceptual framework to predict coordination structures as a function of transaction-cost characteristics, compares predictions for the Malian cereals market to empirical evidence using 15 case studies, and then analyzes structure combinations.

Findings
Asymmetric scale between farmers and buyers; uncertainty in production, prices, policy, and contract enforcement; and quality and quantity debasement lead to selections of structures with high levels of control. Vertical and horizontal structures demonstrate a complementary relationship in certain core coordination roles, while exhibiting substitutability in the provision of other coordination activities. The marketing cooperative and marketing contract pairing is the most prevalent combination.

Research limitations/implications
The conceptual framework is useful for explaining the selection of coordination structures, and can be applied in other contexts to strengthen external validity.

Originality/value
The framework facilitates predictions and explanation of both VC and HC structures, with empirical application on a country and value chains receiving little attention in the literature.
3D technology in fashion: from concept to consumer
Authors: Arribas Veronica , Alfaro José A. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how 3D digital technology can bring value to the fashion industry by analysing the specific benefits it offers along the value chain. Additionally, the authors show some of the challenges ahead identified for both software and fashion firms.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors present by means of a case study the experience of an haute couture designer who used 3D digital technology – in collaboration with a recognised 3D software company – for developing his first luxury footwear collection.

Findings
The enhancement of creativity and a better communication with suppliers are just some of the benefits identified in the case study from the use of 3D digital technology. In addition, challenges such as the development of a digital culture or the need for technology simplification are drawn from the case.

Practical implications
Apart from the benefits and challenges drawn from the case study, which can be useful to practitioners in this industry, the authors also identify the collaboration through which the experience took place as an interesting practice to implement as a previous step of a digital transformation strategy.

Originality/value
Despite the growing interest the fashion industry is showing in the use of new digital technologies, academic research on this topic is still scarce. Therefore, the case study presented in this paper adds value to the literature showing how 3D technology can help fashion from concept to consumer.
The place sustainability scale: measuring residents’ perceptions of the sustainability of a town
Authors: Taecharungroj Viriya , Tachapattaworakul Suksaroj Thunwadee , Rattanapan Cheerawit 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this research is to develop a scale that assesses place sustainability from the perspectives of residents, who are the main stakeholders. The resulting place sustainability scale (PSS) is a practical and useful tool for place administrators to measure place sustainability at all scales.

Design/methodology/approach
This research analyses the data collected from 636 residents in the town of Salaya in Central Thailand. To develop the scale, the authors randomise 318 samples to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and analyse the rest with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings
A total of 11 factors of place sustainability were generated with 33 questionnaire items. Those factors were natural environment, social equity, economic growth, built environment, landscape, liveability, conviviality, transport, energy, water and waste management and governance.

Practical implications
The PSS can help place administrators, such as chief executives of sub-districts, mayors of town municipalities or governors of provinces, assess perceived sustainability from the perspectives of their residents. They can use this scale in conjunction with other sustainability indicators that calculate data from real variables and values to develop a comprehensive view of sustainability that includes both real and perceptual dimensions.

Originality/value
Numerous available indices and indicators use real variables and values to measure place sustainability. However, they have limitations: they can be complex and incomprehensible to outsiders or they might not support participative processes and policymaking. This research develops an alternative measure of place sustainability that assesses the perceptions of residents.
Impairment of intangible assets and disclosure by Italian banks
Authors: Quaranta Anna Grazia , Di Gabriele Nico , Zigiotti Ermanno 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the methods used to perform impairment test for intangible assets from a business combination and the information provided by the consolidated financial statements of a Group of Italian banks in the period 2009-2014. The purpose is to verify if, as assumed in literature, there is a positive link between profitability and the tendency of manager’s to post the impairment losses of intangible assets promptly and accurately.

Design/methodology/approach
The existence of a link between profitability and the quality of disclosure was verified by constructing correlation indices, and then ascertaining not only the reliability but also the strength and direction of the statistical connection between the above two aspects. A multivariate linear regression reconfirmed the results obtained by the previous bivariate analysis.

Findings
The results confirm the basic assumption, showing that the link between the aspects considered is statistically significant and positive in all the years in question.

Originality/value
This study fills a gap, given that no papers were found in literature specifically pertaining to banks and other financial institutions. Moreover, the decision to focus the study on Italian banks seems to be particularly appropriate for a number of different reasons: before the financial crisis, Italian banks made numerous acquisitions, posting high amounts for intangible assets; the financial crisis made the stock market prices plummet, thus making it necessary to write-off intangible assets from business combinations; and even before the ESMA, the Bank of Italy intervened on several occasions on the question of reporting, urging Italian banks to comply with disclosure requirements and impairment criteria.
‘I expected just to walk in, get my tablets and then walk out’: on framing new community pharmacy services in the English healthcare system
Authors: Latif Asam , Waring Justin , Watmough Deborah , Boyd Matthew J. , Elliott Rachel A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractReconfiguration of the healthcare division of labour is becoming increasingly attractive in the context of increased patient demand and resource constraints. One example is the introduction of extended roles for pharmacists to provide patients additional support to manage their medicines, while also reducing work pressures experienced by other health professionals. Understanding how such policies are framed by those delivering and receiving care has been under‐theorised. Using Goffman's frame theory, we examine one newly introduced community pharmacy service (New Medicines Service (NMS)) to illustrate how a policy intended to support patient medicine‐taking through the extended roles of pharmacists is framed and where this deviates from its proposed aims. Three themes emerged: (i) the spatial‐material artefacts; (ii) existing discursive culture and practice around medicine‐taking; and (iii) the NMS interactions that shape and govern framing and subsequent interpretation of the NMS. Our study offers an explanatory and dynamic view of the framing process with important lessons for reconfiguring medicine management policy and practice. As well as illustrating framing as being variegated, complementary or conflicting, it also shows how this plurality and fragility had consequences for patient engagement and sense‐making. The consequences for engagement and recommendations for implementing future initiatives are discussed.
Comparative efficacy and safety of biosimilar‐infliximab and originator‐infliximab in combination with methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Bae Sang‐Cheol , Lee Young Ho 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to assess the relative efficacy and safety of biosimilar‐infliximab and originator‐infliximab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) compared to placebo plus MTX in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWe performed a Bayesian network meta‐analysis to combine direct and indirect evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy and safety of biosimilar + MTX and infliximab + MTX and placebo + MTX (MTX group) in patients with active RA despite treatment with MTX.ResultsSeven RCts involving 2606 patients met the inclusion criteria. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 response rate was significantly higher in the biosimilar + MTX group than in the MTX group (odds ratio [OR] 3.31, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.74–6.06). Similarly, the ACR20 response rate was significantly higher in the infliximab + MTX group than in the MTX group (OR 3.15, 95% CrI 1.99–4.70). There was no difference in the ACR20 response rate between the biosimilar+ MTX and infliximab + MTX groups. Ranking probability based on surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that treatment with biosimilar + MTX had the highest probability of achieving the ACR20 response rate (SUCRA = 0.7964), followed by infliximab + MTX (SUCRA = 0.7018) and MTX alone (SUCRA = 0.0018). The ACR50 and ACR70 response rates showed a similar distribution pattern to the ACR20 response rate. By contrast, the safety based on the number of serious adverse events (SAEs) did not differ significantly among the three interventions.ConclusionsBiosimilar‐ and originator‐infliximab, in combination with MTX, represent effective interventions for active RA, with a low risk of SAEs. No significant difference between biosimilar‐ and originator‐infliximab was found in terms of efficacy and safety.
Differences in clinical presentation and incidence of cardiopulmonary involvement in late‐onset versus early‐onset systemic sclerosis: inception cohort study
Authors: Wangkaew Suparaporn , Phiriyakrit Phiriya , Sawangduan Vittawin , Prasertwittayakij Narawudt , Euathrongchit Juntima 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionData regarding the incidence rate (IR) of cardiopulmonary involvement in comparison between late‐onset SSc and early‐onset SSc are limited.ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of clinical manifestations and the IR of cardiopulmonary involvement compared between the two subgroups.MethodsAn inception cohort of SSc patients seen at the Rheumatology Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, between January 2010 and June 2016, was used. All patients were assessed for clinical manifestations and underwent electrocardiograph, echocardiography and high‐resolution computed tomography at the study entry and every 12 months thereafter.ResultOne hundred and fifteen patients (69 female and 90 diffuse cutaneous SSc [dcSSc]) with a mean (SD) disease duration of 11.6 months (8.8) at cohort entry were enrolled during a mean (SD) observation period of 3.8 years (1.6). Patients were classified into two groups: age ≥ 50 years (late onset) and age < 50 years (early onset). The late‐onset group included 78 patients (67.8%). At enrollment, the late‐onset group had higher prevalence of digital pitting scars (60.3% vs. 35.1%, P = 0.012), dry eye symptoms (17.9% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.035), and hypertension (20.5% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.037) compared to the early‐onset group. In the last visit, it was found that the late‐onset group had higher cumulative prevalence of joint contracture (61.5% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.017) compared to the early‐onset group. The late‐onset group had no significant IR of left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% (3.04 vs. 4.45 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.486), right ventricular dysfunction (5.17 vs. 2.73 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.269), interstitial lung disease (49.45 vs. 42.03 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.462), and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure ≥ 50 mmHg (2.57 vs. 1.07 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.267) compared to the early‐onset group.ConclusionOur study cohort found that digital pitting scar, xerophthalmia, hypo–hyperpigmentation, joint contracture, and hypertension are more prevalent in late‐onset SSc than early‐onset SSc. However, no significant differences regarding the IR of cardiopulmonary involvement between the two subgroups, the majority of which were dcSSc, in the early phase of the disease.
The impact of buprenorphine and methadone on mortality: a primary care cohort study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hickman Matthew , Steer Colin , Tilling Kate , Lim Aaron G. , Marsden John , Millar Tim , Strang John , Telfer Maggie , Vickerman Peter , Macleod John 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsTo estimate whether opioid substitution treatment (OST) with buprenorphine or methadone is associated with a greater reduction in the risk of all‐cause mortality (ACM) and opioid drug‐related poisoning (DRP) mortality.DesignCohort study with linkage between clinical records from Clinical Practice Research Datalink and mortality register.SettingUK primary care.ParticipantsA total of 11 033 opioid‐dependent patients who received OST from 1998 to 2014, followed‐up for 30 410 person‐years.MeasurementsExposure to methadone (17 373, 61%) OST episodes or buprenorphine (9173, 39%) OST episodes. ACM was available for all patients; information on cause of death and DRP was available for 5935 patients (54%) followed‐up for 16 363 person‐years. Poisson regression modelled mortality by treatment period with an interaction between OST type and treatment period (first 4 weeks on OST, rest of time off OST, first 4 weeks off OST, rest of time out of OST censored at 12 months) to test whether ACM or DRP differed between methadone and buprenorphine. Inverse probability weights were included to adjust for confounding and balance characteristics of patients prescribed methadone or buprenorphine.FindingsACM and DRP rates were 1.93 and 0.53 per 100 person‐years, respectively. DRP was elevated during the first 4 weeks of OST [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.93 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97–3.82], the first 4 weeks off OST (IRR = 8.15, 95% CI = 5.45–12.19) and the rest of time out of OST (IRR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.47–3.09) compared with mortality risk from 4 weeks to end of treatment. Patients on buprenorphine compared with methadone had lower ACM rates in each treatment period. After adjustment, there was evidence of a lower DRP risk for patients on buprenorphine compared with methadone at treatment initiation (IRR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01–0.48) and rest of time on treatment (IRR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17–0.79). Treatment duration (mean and median) was shorter on buprenorphine than methadone (173 and 40 versus 363 and 111, respectively). Model estimates suggest that there was a low probability that methadone or buprenorphine reduced the number of DRP in the population: 28 and 21%, respectively.ConclusionsIn UK general medical practice, opioid substitution treatment with buprenorphine is associated with a lower risk of all‐cause and drug‐related poisoning mortality than methadone. In the population, buprenorphine is unlikely to give greater overall protection because of the relatively shorter duration of treatment.
A novel model to study neonatal Escherichia coli sepsis and the effect of treatment on the human immune system using humanized mice
Authors: Schlieckau Florian , Schulz Daniela , Fill Malfertheiner Sara , Entleutner Kathrin , Seelbach‐Goebel Birgit , Ernst Wolfgang 
Published: April 2018

ProblemNeonatal sepsis is a serious threat especially for preterm infants. As existing in vitro and in vivo models have limitations, we generated a novel neonatal sepsis model using humanized mice and tested the effect of Betamethasone and Indomethacin which are used in the clinic in case of premature birth.Method of studyHumanized mice were infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli). Subsequently, the effect of the infection itself, and treatment with Betamethasone and Indomethacin on survival, recovery, bacterial burden, leukocyte populations, and cytokine production, was analyzed.ResultsThe human immune system in the animals responded with leukocyte trafficking to the site of infection and granulopoiesis in the bone marrow. Treatment with Indomethacin had no pronounced effect on the immune system or bacterial burden. Betamethasone induced a decline of splenocytes.ConclusionThe human immune system in humanized mice responds to the infection, making them a suitable model to study neonatal E. coli sepsis and the immune response of the neonatal immune system. Treatment with Betamethasone could have potential negative long‐term effects for the immune system of the child.
Timing of diagnosis of gestational diabetes and pregnancy outcomes: A retrospective cohort
Authors: Shub Alexis , Chee Tess , Templeton Alexandra , Boyce Deborah , McNamara Catharine , Houlihan Christine , Churilov Leonid , McCarthy Elizabeth A. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundRecent guidelines suggest screening high‐risk women in early pregnancy for gestational diabetes (GDM); however, there is little evidence to support this.AimsTo compare pregnancy outcomes associated with diabetes for women with risk factors for GDM according to gestation of diagnosis. Early GDM was defined as a positive test before 20 weeks gestation, late GDM as a positive test at 20 or more weeks and no GDM when both tests were negative.Materials and methodsRetrospective analysis in an Australian tertiary hospital of women who underwent a glucose tolerance test in pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation, and a repeat test after 20 weeks gestation if the initial test was negative. Results were adjusted for maternal demographics.ResultsWomen with early GDM (n = 170) were no more likely to experience the obstetric composite outcome than women with late GDM (n = 171) or no GDM (n = 547) (early odds ratio (OR) 1.16, 95%CI 0.79–1.71; late OR 0.78, 95%CI 0.53–1.12). Infants of women with early GDM, but not late GDM, were more likely (early OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.15–2.92; late OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.90–2.23) to have the neonatal composite outcome than infants of women without GDM, predominantly due to an increase in neonatal hypoglycaemia.ConclusionsThis result may be due to careful management of GDM, or because, after adjustment for maternal demographics, the early diagnosis of GDM does not substantially increase rates of adverse outcomes compared to GDM diagnosed in later pregnancy or no GDM in women with risk factors for GDM.
Association of serum uric acid levels with primary open‐angle glaucoma: a 5‐year case–control study
Authors: Li Shengjie , Shao Mingxi , Li Danhui , Tang Binghua , Cao Wenjun , Sun Xinghuai 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeIt has been hypothesised that uric acid (UA) has a protective effect against oxidative damage in the central nervous system. Therefore, we investigated serum UA concentrations in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and explored the relationship between serum UA concentration and glaucoma severity.MethodsThis prospective, cross‐sectional, case–control study was conducted in 163 POAG patients and 103 normal controls. Clinical and demographic information was obtained from the medical data platform of the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The POAG patients were categorised into mild [median deviation (MD) ≤ 6.00 dB], moderate (MD > 6 Db–≥12 dB) and severe (MD > 12 dB) subgroups, based on their visual field MD results.ResultsThe level of serum UA in the POAG group (0.321 ± 0.084 mmol/l) was approximately 12.77% lower (p < 0.001) than that of the control group (0.362 ± 0.053 mmol/l). The UA/creatinine (Cr) ratio was approximately 14.99% lower (p < 0.001) in patients with POAG (4.47 ± 1.15), compared with the control group (5.14 ± 1.05). The mean level of UA was lowest in the severe POAG group, followed by the moderate POAG group, and the mild POAG group (p < 0.001). A similar trend was observed when UA levels were compared between the POAG and control groups in males. Multivariate regression analyses showed a significant negative correlation between UA and vertical cup–disc ratio (B = −0.320, p = 0.034), and UA and MD (B = −0.441, p = 0.031) in males.ConclusionPrimary open‐angle glaucoma patients have lower UA levels; however, a negative association between UA levels and disease severity was evident in male patients.
Framing Homeless Policy: Reducing Cash Aid as a Compassionate Solution
Authors: Reppond Harmony A. , Bullock Heather E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn 2002, Care Not Cash/Proposition N was introduced to respond to public concern over San Francisco's chronic homeless epidemic. The controversial initiative, which significantly reduced General Assistance (cash aid) to unhoused people, diverted funds to direct services such as shelter, food, medical assistance, and substance abuse programs. To investigate the underlying attitudes and beliefs that framed homelessness and the Care Not Cash policy in the months leading up to the citywide vote articles from theSan Francisco Chroniclewere analyzed. Of particular interest was assessing the prevalence of individualistic framing, constructions of dependency, and the problems Care Not Cash was presented as solving. Our analysis found that homelessness was framed as a threat to businesses, tourism, and residents of San Francisco and welfare as enabling deviant behavior (e.g., substance abuse) among people experiencing homelessness. Similar to federal welfare reform, Care Not Cash was portrayed as a compassionate solution that would both solve the problem of homelessness and address problematic behaviors associated with people who are unhoused (Stryker & Wald, 2009). Implications for economic justice are discussed.