bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Capacity Evaluation Following Spinal Fusion Surgery
Authors: Bohl Daniel D. , Ahn Junyoung , Collins Michael , Mayo Benjamin C. , Massel Dustin H. , Aboushaala Khaled , Kamath Rahul , Duhancioglu Gabriel , Elbeik Moustafa , Singh Kern 
Published: January 2016

Study Design.
Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective.
The aim of the study was to characterize outcomes of functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) amongst patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

Summary of Background Data.
Injured workers often undergo an FCE upon reaching maximal medical improvement following surgery. To date, few studies have examined the results of FCEs following spinal fusion.

Methods.
Patients undergoing an FCE following a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) were retrospectively identified. Based upon the FCE report, each patient's job-related preoperative physical requirement and postoperative work capability was categorized as light, medium, or heavy. Patients were characterized as being able to meet their preoperative job requirement if their FCE-determined capability was greater than or equal to their preoperative job requirement. Patient characteristics were tested for association with meeting preoperative job requirement using bivariate and multivariate regression.

Results.
A total of 173 patients were identified: 71 (41.0%) and 102 (59.0%) underwent TLIF and ACDF, respectively. Of the 71 TLIF and 102 ACDF patients, 41 (58%) and 50 (49%) had light postoperative capabilities, 18 (25%) and 38 (37%) as medium, and 12 (17%) and 14 (14%) as heavy, respectively. Postoperatively, 26 (37%) of TLIF and 55 (54%) of ACDF patients were categorized as meeting their preoperative job requirement. Independent predictors of meeting preoperative job requirement following TLIF (P =0.002) and ACDF (P = 0.037) were lower preoperative job requirement, and younger age for ACDF (P < 0.001).

Conclusion.
Only one in five patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery for occupational injuries is able to perform heavy-duty work postoperatively. Similarly, approximately half of patients are able to perform medium-duty work. Moreover, a majority of patients are unable to return to their preoperative occupational responsibilities. These findings can be used to council patients regarding their likelihood of meeting postoperative work capacity.

Level of Evidence: 3
Use of Radiation Therapy in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Improves Survival
Authors: Sajjad Monique , Batra Sachin , Hoffe Sarah , Kim Richard , Springett Gregory , Mahipal Amit 
Published: January 2016

Objectives:
Although both radiation therapy and chemotherapy are frequently used to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients, the role of radiation therapy remains controversial with data evaluating its efficacy mostly derived from small randomized trials. In this study, we evaluate the survival benefit of radiation therapy using SEER dataset in patients with LAPC.

Materials and Methods:
The SEER Registry dataset from 2004 to 2011 was queried to identify LAPC (TNM stage III) patients. Patients with survival <2 months, unknown radiation status, or who received postoperative radiation were excluded. Multivariate analyses of prognostic factors related to survival were performed using a Cox proportional hazard-regression model. Propensity scores were estimated using probit regression.

Results:
Our search identified 4460 patients; 59% who received radiation and 41% who did not. Radiation group patients were younger (below 65 y old: 49% vs. 38%), had smaller tumor size (largest dimension <4.5 cm: 80% vs. 75%), less lymph node involvement (33% vs. 36%), and lower rate of surgical resection (4% vs. 9%). Patients who received radiation therapy had better survival (HR=0.773; 95% CI, 0.687-0.782). The 12-month overall survival in the radiation group and nonradiation group was 43% versus 29%, respectively (P<0.001). On multivariate analyses, radiation was independently associated with improved outcomes. The survival benefit with radiation was observed in propensity score–matched cohort.

Conclusions:
Radiation therapy was associated with improved survival. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings. The optimal schedule and radiation type remain undetermined.
Double-Organ Bias in Published Randomized Controlled Trials of Glaucoma
Authors: Esen Fehim , Köstek Mehmet , Emekli Ahmed S. , Eraslan Muhsin 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:
Most of the statistical tests used in significance testing are based on the assumption that each data entry is independent from other entries, however, we observe that in many articles researchers include data from 2 eyes as independent variables while performing these statistical tests. The aim of this study was to formally survey the prevalence of the above-mentioned “double-organ bias” in randomized controlled trials (RCT) of glaucoma.

Materials and Methods:
We did a PubMed search with the terms “glaucoma” and limitations “Humans” and “Randomized Controlled Trials” in 15 highest-impact-factor ophthalmology journals between November 2002 and November 2012. We only included RCTs published as an original article, where the aim was treating glaucoma. Two independent observers (M.K. and A.S.E.) read through each article and classified the articles according to treatment modality (medical, laser, or surgical) and presence of double-organ bias.

Results:
The PubMed search yielded 270 articles. A total of 130 articles qualified for the survey. Eighty-five of the RCTs were medical studies, 11 were laser studies, and 34 studies evaluated the outcome of a surgical procedure. In 17 of the 130 articles (13.1%), double-organ bias was found. Prevalence of the double-organ bias was not significantly different between medical (12.9%), laser (14.7%), and surgical (9.1%) studies.

Conclusion:
Double-organ bias was observed around 13.1% of the published RCTs, leading to inaccurate statistical testing.
Work-based learning through negotiated projects – exploring learning at the boundary
Authors: Algers Anne , Lindström Berner , Svensson Lars 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– More collaborative and open learning models are suggested as part of the paradigm shift in the way knowledge is produced, distributed, and used. The purpose of this paper is to explore a work-based learning (WBL) model, based on systemic negotiations between actors from the three parties: the academy, the industry, and the students. The purpose is to investigate how teachers, supervisors, and students value negotiated WBL as a boundary activity and to enhance the understanding of the learning potential at the boundary.

Design/methodology/approach
– Activity theory is used as a lens to analyse the results from a survey to the three stakeholder groups and interviews of students. The four learning mechanisms are used to explore learning at the boundary between the two activity systems.

Findings
– Diversity and mobility in education and work addressed by the notion of boundary crossing are associated with both challenges and a learning potential. There is a constant dynamic between structure and agency, where structure, the negotiated model, influence the individual agency. When gradually removing scaffolding students can as boundary crossers engage behaviourally, emotionally, and cognitively and have agency to handle contradictions at a local level. However, they did not seem to prioritise both systems equally but instead they were gradually socialised into the activity system of the industry.

Originality/value
– When WBL is framed by a negotiated partnership it can manage and customise inherent conflicts of interest and enhance individual learning opportunities at the boundary and can be conceptualised as an open learning practice.
Psychological attributes and work-integrated learning: an international study
Authors: Drysdale Maureen T B , McBeath Margaret L , Johansson Kristina , Dressler Sheri , Zaitseva Elena 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore – on an international level – the relationship between work-integrated learning (WIL) and several psychological attributes (i.e. hope, procrastination, self-concept, self-efficacy, motivation, and study skills) believed to be important for a successful transition to the labor market.Design/methodology/approach– A between-subjects design was used with participants in one of two groups: WIL and non-WIL. The design provided data on the effects of the independent variable (WIL) on a number of dependent variables (attributes) across four countries. Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using a series of ANOVAs and MANOVAs.Findings– WIL and non-WIL students in the four countries shared several attributes – however – significant differences also emerged. WIL compared to non-WIL students compared reported stronger math and problem solving self-concepts, yet weaker effort regulation and perceived critical thinking skills. WIL students were more extrinsically motivated than their non-WIL peers in three of the four countries. Female students in WIL reported being the most anxious compared to other students.Research limitations/implications– Self-reports to measure psychological attributes and the small sample sizes at some of the institutions are limitations.Originality/value– The positive relationship between participation in WIL and several aspects of positive self-concept are provided. In addition, data are provided indicating that overall there are more similarities than differences between WIL and non-WIL students on a number of psychological outcomes. Data also suggests that females who participate in WIL may be at risk for anxiety problems.
Undergraduate employability training and employment: a UAE study
Authors: El-Temtamy Osama , O'Neill K. Kathleen , Midraj Sadiq 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between female undergraduate student participation in a university-sponsored employment skills development program and employment post-graduation.

Design/methodology/approach
– From historical institutional data a random sample was analyzed using the logistic regression model. The main variable investigated was participation in the World of Work (WOW) program during undergraduate study. It was hypothesized that participation would contribute positively to the probability of employment after graduation.

Findings
– Grade point average at the time of graduation was also expected to have a positive relationship with employability. The study found that those who participated in the WOW program while undergraduates were more 6.7 times more likely to find post-graduate employment than non-participants.

Research limitations/implications
– Data were collected at a single institution as such findings may not be generalizable.

Practical implications
– This study provides support for the inclusion of employability training at the tertiary level and provides evidence to support resourcing such initiatives.

Social implications
– The study supports the development of work-ready, nationals and to supplying the UAE economy with needed human capital, in particular the goal of Emiratization.

Originality/value
– This study is of one of very few in the Arabian Gulf region to examine employability factors of university graduates.
Service quality at the London 2012 games – a paralympics athletes survey
Authors: Bamford David , Dehe Benjamin 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to report on aspects of service quality at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, from a rather unusual perspective, the athletes. To date there has been little evidence captured about athlete’s satisfaction at sporting events, and specifically about their perceptions of the service quality provided.

Design/methodology/approach
– Unique “full” access to the London 2012 Paralympics allowed to the collection of data directly from the athletes. The study reports the questionnaire findings from a sample of 250 respondents.

Findings
– From this study an operational assessment and performance framework has been generated composed of ten criteria and 73 items or sub-criteria, which can be used as a benchmarking tool to plane, design and compare future sport mega-event. Moreover, the study evidence based the high quality of the 2012 Paralympics Games, as he athletes rated, on a five point Likert scale, 64 items in the “very satisfied” category, a very positive set of feedback for the Games organisers.

Research limitations/implications
– The methodology applied was appropriate, generating data to facilitate discussion and draw specific conclusions from. A perceived limitation is the single case approach; however, this can be enough to add to the body of knowledge where very little evidence has been captured so far and where the objectives were to explore the Paralympics games service quality and performance.

Practical implications
– This research provides a tangible evidence base to support future sport event decision makers, planners and designers in this highly complex “arena”. In any system there are always areas for improvement, these are highlighted within the paper for further investigation.

Originality/value
– This is the first paper to identify and synthesize aspects of sport mega event service quality from the athletes viewpoint and informs how well designed, organised and managed the London 2012 Games were from a primary user perspective. The paper makes a defined contribution by developing evidence based recommendations for this important yet under researched area.
QFD 3D: a new C-shaped matrix diagram quality approach
Authors: Vezzetti Enrico , Marcolin Federica , Guerra Andrea Luigi 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– Quality function deployment (QFD) is a worldwide-known, design for quality approach, which gathers several design quality methods. Among them, the House of Quality (HoQ) correlates the Voice of Customer and the Voice of Company thanks to L-shaped (2D) Matrix Diagrams (MDs). This paper theorizes, as logically possible, the extension from a bi-dimensional representation (a customer and a provider) to a higher N-dimensional representational freedom without altering the typical QFD’s customer-provider posture. The purpose of this paper is to present QFD 3D: the extension of the Relationship MD in the HoQ toward a third dimension (two customers and a provider or two providers and a customer).

Design/methodology/approach
– The proposed method is based on an existing well-known quality management tool such as MDs. The authors extend its representational capability by substituting the current L-shaped MDs (2D) with C-shaped ones (3D). The mathematical validity of this extension is described to demonstrate the correctness of the approach.

Findings
– The paper presents the logical validity and a case study concerning a three-dimensional extension of the Relationship MD in the HoQ, typical of the QFD approach.

Research limitations/implications
– The results are limited to a three-dimensional extension. Situations where more than three actors are simultaneously involved are theoretically possible, but they are out of the scope of the current research. The difficulty in manipulating 3D representations on traditional supporting tools will be completely reversed on new computer-supported tools. The proposed method is meant to be a useful and efficient instrument for correlating the needs and the services in multi-actors-based scenario, using a QFD design quality approach fueled by IT support tools.

Practical implications
– This paper can be used as guideline for further researches on N-dimensional extensions of HoQ. The proposed method can be used in a scenario based on the Triple Helix of Innovation. It gives a clear correlation between different needs and services, facilitating the decision-making process and the constitution of a more comprehensive view of the scenario under a quality management approach.

Originality/value
– Thousands of articles propose different QFD case studies all based on a bi-dimensional correlation between a customer and a provider. This paper proposes a method to extend the pertinence of QFD to scenarios where more than two actors are simultaneously correlated. Considering in particular three actors, the resulting three-dimensional Relationship MD in the HoQ is a totally new design quality tool for correlating customers’ needs and providers’ services. This can result in a significant gain of time and representational ability for quality managers who have to correlate multiple customers with a service provider and conversely a customer to multiple service providers. This approach open the doors for new QFD tools fueled by IT.
Deploying business excellence – success factors for high performance
Authors: Tickle Matthew , Mann Robin , Adebanjo Dotun 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of how organisations successfully deploy business excellence (BE) by comparing the tools and strategies implemented by organisations at different levels of BE maturity.Design/methodology/approach– The study used a combination of a questionnaire, discussion groups and interviews with respondents including private sector organisations across India, Japan, Republic of China, Singapore and Thailand. These countries were selected due to them being considered as having the most advanced BE organisations in Asia by the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) that commissioned the study. Once triangulated, the quantitative data were analysed through use of the IBM SPSS Statistical software package.Findings– The study has shown that on average, organisations with higher BE maturity outperform their less mature counterparts. The study also revealed that organisations with a high BE maturity were more likely to use specific tools and were more likely to use some of these tools more effectively. Finally, the study identified differences in strategic approaches to BE between organisations with high and low BE maturity.Research limitations/implications– Only five Asian countries were considered due to resource limitations. However, the study of 74 organisations represents one of the most comprehensive to date with 30 of these organisations being award winners.Practical implications– The findings offer guidance to those organisations wishing to progress from a low level of BE maturity to a more advanced level. The findings have already assisted the APO and its 20 member countries in the development and implementation of strategic interventions at a regional and national level.Originality/value– No other study in Asia has been conducted on such a large sample of BE-orientated organisations. The study was also unique in its focus on the tools and strategies that should be used for successful BE deployment. In addition, the study is one of only a few in Asia that has studied the results of BE on organisational performance.
Exploring a holistic perspective on production system improvement
Authors: Stålberg Lina , Fundin Anders 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine how holistic improvement work can be organized and what challenges can be observed in the process of adopting a holistic perspective on production system improvement.

Design/methodology/approach
– A qualitative case study and a questionnaire have been carried out. Data for the case study has been collected through semi-structured interviews, archived documents and participatory observations. The questionnaire was done in order to increase the generalizability of the findings from the case study and further validate the conclusions.

Findings
– The improvement work at the case company is organized as a continuous improvement approach in a Lean Production system in the form of a company-specific production system (XPS), in which two other improvement approaches are incorporated. Some of the identified challenges are: the establishment of a holistic perspective on improvement opportunities; the development of a process to update the production strategy; the continuous update of the Operational Management System during the XPS implementation; aggregating measures for the improvement work and measuring the effect of improvement work.

Research limitations/implications
– As the current case study is limited to one case company, future research is interested in expanding to other production systems contexts for further validation.

Originality/value
– The present study offers an increased understanding of the integration difficulties of improvement work that many production companies face regarding operational effectiveness, and based on the findings, some implications for management are presented.
Accrual-based and real earnings management before and after IFRS adoption
Authors: Ferentinou Aikaterini C. , Anagnostopoulou Seraina C. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to examine the use of accrual-based vs real earnings management (EM) by Greek firms, before and after the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The research is motivated by the fact that past studies have indicated the existence of significant levels of EM for Greece in particular before IFRS.

Design/methodology/approach
– Accrual-based earnings management (AEM) is examined by assessing performance-adjusted discretionary accruals, while real earnings management (REM) is defined in terms of abnormal levels of production costs, discretionary expenses, and cash flows from operations, for a three-year period before and after the adoption of IFRS in 2005.

Findings
– The authors find evidence on a statistically significant shift from AEM to REM after the adoption of IFRS, indicating the replacement of one form of EM with the other.

Research limitations/implications
– The validity of the results depends on the ability of the empirical models used to efficiently capture the existence of AEM and REM.

Practical implications
– IFRS adoption aims to improve accounting quality, especially in countries with high need for such an improvement; however, the tendency to substitute one form of EM with another highlights unintended consequences of IFRS adoption, which do not improve the informational content of financial statements if EM continues under different forms.

Originality/value
– Under the expectation that IFRS adoption should lead to improvements in accounting quality, this study examines whether IFRS actually led to a reduction of EM practices for a country with exceptionally high levels of EM before IFRS, by accounting for all possible forms of EM.