bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Four-Session Physical Therapy Program Emphasizing Manual Therapy and Exercise on the Balance and Prosthetic Walking Ability of People with Lower-Limb Amputation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wong Christopher Kevin , Varca Matthew J. , Stevenson Catharine E. , Maroldi Nicholas J. , Ersing Jennifer C. , Ehrlich Julie E. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Purpose
No consensus exists regarding best practice for prosthetic rehabilitation programs after unilateral lower-limb amputation. A program integrating manual therapy with exercise for people using lower-limb prostheses has not been systematically investigated. The objectives of this pilot study were to determine whether a four-session physical therapy program of manual therapy, exercise, and functional training would (1) be feasible for people with lower-limb amputation and (2) produce medium to large effect size changes in balance and walking ability and self-reported prosthetic function.

Methods
Five subjects were recruited for this pretest-posttest design pilot study. Outcome measures included self-report scales (Houghton Scale, Prosthetics Evaluation Questionnaire, fear of falling, and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence) and clinical performance assessments: Berg Balance Scale, 2-minute walk test, and timed up and go test. One week after the four-session manual therapy, exercise, and functional training program concluded, measures were reassessed. Effect size d and Wilcoxon P values were calculated.

Results
Five subjects (average age, 54.0 years), with unilateral amputations of mixed etiology and level, completed the study without adverse event. Berg Balance Scale (d = 1.7, p < 0.05), timed up and go (d = 1.05, p > 0.05), and 2-minute walk test (d = 1.18, p < 0.05) had large effect size changes.

Conclusions
A four-session program of manual therapy, exercise, and functional training proved feasible and increased balance and walking ability in people with lower-limb amputation. Controlled research to determine the effects of manual therapy and exercise in this population appears warranted.
High variation in treatment strategies for gastrointestinal angiodysplasias
Authors: Grooteman Karina V. , van Geenen Erwin J.M. , Drenth Joost P.H. 
Published: May 2016

Objective
Angiodysplasias (ADs) are the second leading cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly. The impact extends from no symptoms to chronic anaemia. Treatment guidelines are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the current practice of gastrointestinal ADs and explore possible new research areas. On the basis of existing evidence, we would like to propose a treatment algorithm.

Methods
We administered a 19-item web-based survey to gastroenterologists in the Netherlands between February and April of 2015.

Results
A total of 111 (response rate 28%) gastroenterologists completed the survey (mean age=47 years; 24% women). The respondents identified Von Willebrand disease (17%), chronic kidney disease (21%) and aortic stenosis (77%) as risk factors for the development of ADs. Colonoscopy (54%) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (43%) were the preferred first tools to screen for ADs. The favoured (77%) first treatment option is endoscopic argon plasma coagulation, whereas 20% start iron supplementation or blood transfusions. Treatment strategy is mostly (65%) based on the location of the ADs. Small bowel ADs are considered the most difficult to treat, because of the need for balloon enteroscopy. Of the gastroenterologists, 13% would treat ADs as a coincident finding during endoscopy. Medical therapy is mostly started in refractory ADs, and thalidomide (40%) is preferred over octreotide (19%). Thalidomide is more preferred by gastroenterologists working in a teaching hospital.

Conclusion
Identification of risk factors and treatment of ADs vary widely between gastroenterologists in the Netherlands. Further research is needed to create an evidence-based guideline and thereby optimize the management of symptomatic ADs.
ApoE ε4 Is Associated With Cognition, Brain Integrity, and Atrophy in HIV Over Age 60
Authors: Wendelken Lauren A. , Jahanshad Neda , Rosen Howard J. , Busovaca Edgar , Allen Isabel , Coppola Giovanni , Adams Collin , Rankin Katherine P. , Milanini Benedetta , Clifford Katherine , Wojta Kevin , Nir Talia M. , Gutman Boris A. , Thompson Paul M. , Valcour Victor 
Published: May 2016

Background:There are contradicting reports on the associations between Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE ε4) and brain outcomes in HIV with some evidence that relationships may be greatest in older age groups.Methods:We assessed cognition in 76 clinically stable HIV-infected participants over age 60 and genotyped ApoE. Sixty-one of these subjects underwent structural brain magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging.Results:The median age of the participants was 64 years (range: 60–84) and the median estimated duration of HIV infection was 22 years. Apo ε4 carriers (n = 19) were similar to noncarriers (n = 57) in sex (95% vs. 96% male), and education (16.0 vs. 16.2 years) ApoE ε4 carriers demonstrated greater deficits in cognitive performance in the executive domain (P= 0.045) and had reduced fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity throughout large white matter tracts within the brain compared with noncarriers. Tensor-based morphometry analyses revealed ventricular expansion and atrophy in the posterior corpus callosum, thalamus, and brainstem among HIV-infected ApoE ε4 carriers compared with ε4 noncarriers.Conclusions:In this sample of older HIV-infected individuals, having at least 1 ApoE ε4 allele was associated with decreased cognitive performance in the executive functioning domain, reduced brain white matter integrity, and brain atrophy. Brain atrophy was most prominent in the posterior corpus callosum, thalamus, and brainstem. This pattern of cognitive deficit, atrophy, and damage to white matter integrity was similar to that described in HIV, suggesting an exacerbation of HIV-related pathology; although emergence of other age-associated neurodegenerative disorders cannot be excluded.
Quantitative MRI to understand Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology
Authors: Bozzali Marco , Serra Laura , Cercignani Mara 
Published: May 2016

Purpose of review
The role of white matter damage in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and the associated cognitive symptoms is becoming increasingly clearer. This is partly because of the advent of diffusion tensor imaging, which, in combination with other quantitative MRI techniques, offers unique insights into the patholophysiology of Alzheimer's disease in vivo. The purpose of this review is to integrate the most recent imaging findings, with respect to understanding Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology, and identifying potential biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic value.

Recent findings
Consistent with patterns of gray matter atrophy, white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease is localized within white matter tracts connecting the temporal lobe with the rest of the brain, including the cingulum, the uncinate fasciculus and the fornix. These abnormalities are often correlated with adjacent gray matter tissue loss, and with cognitive performance. The relationship between these findings and loss of functional connectivity supports the hypothesis of disconnection as a mechanism for the spread of Alzheimer's disease.

Summary
White matter abnormalities occur early in Alzheimer's disease, and might actively contribute to the progression of the disease. Functional and structural gray matter abnormalities parallel the white matter changes, and successful biomarkers are likely to be multiparametric.
Adaptation of mammalian myosin II sequences to body mass
Authors: McGreig Jake E , Jeanfavre Sarah T , Henson Charlotte , Coghlan Michael P , Walklate Jonathan , Ridout Martin , Baines Anthony J , Geeves Michael A , Wass Mark N 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe speed of muscle contraction is related to body size; muscles in larger species contract at a slower rate. We investigated the evolution of twelve myosin II isoforms to identify any adapted to increasing body mass in mammals. We identified a correlation between body mass and sequence divergence for the motor domain of three adult myosin II isoforms (β, 2A, 2B) suggesting that these isoforms have adapted to increasing body mass. In contrast the non-muscle and developmental isoforms show no correlation of sequence divergence with body mass, while the sarcomeric myosin 7b, extraocular and 2X isoforms showed a divergence intermediate between these two groups. The 2B and β-myosin motor domain showed the greatest rate of sequence divergence (−0.84 and −0.69 % per ten-fold increase in mass respectively). β-myosin is abundant in cardiac ventricle and slow skeletal muscle. We propose that β-myosin has adapted to enable slower heart beating and contraction of slow skeletal muscle as body mass increased.
Accounting for tumor heterogeneity using a sample-specific error model improves sensitivity and specificity in mutation calling for sequencing data
Authors: Fan Yu , Liu Xi , Daniel S. T. Hughes , Zhang Jianjua , Zhang Jianhua , Futreal P. Andrew , Wheeler David A. , Wenyi Wang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSubclonal mutations reveal important features of the genetic architecture of tumors. However, accurate detection of mutations in genetically heterogeneous tumor cell populations using NGS remains challenging. We developed MuSE (http://bioinformatics.mdanderson.org/main/MuSE), mutation calling using a Markov substitution model for evolution, a novel approach modeling the evolution of the allelic composition of the tumor and normal tissue at each reference base. MuSE adopts a sample-specific error model that reflects the underlying tumor heterogeneity to greatly improve overall accuracy. We demonstrate the accuracy of MuSE in calling subclonal mutations in the context of large-scale tumor sequencing projects using whole exome and whole genome sequence.
The effects of corporate brand symbolism on consumer satisfaction and loyalty
Authors: Anisimova Tatiana 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to test the effects of corporate brand symbolism on consumer satisfaction and loyalty on a sample of Australian automobile consumers.

Design/methodology/approach
– Survey research was employed to test the study hypotheses. The regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between an independent variable (corporate brand symbolism) and dependent variables (consumer satisfaction and loyalty).

Findings
– Support was found for all hypotheses formulated in this study. Regression results reveal consistent favourable and significant effects of corporate brand symbolism on both consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

Research limitations/implications
– Although this paper makes contributions in international marketing, the cross-sectional nature of the data collection method limits the information gained to the single point in time. This research studied the impact of corporate brand symbolism on consumers of one original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Having a larger number of participating car manufacturers/OEMs would have provided a wider insight. However, time and resources limitation did not allow to study a larger sample. In the future, practitioners are recommended to further understand the relationship between self and social aspects of brand symbolism in order to formulate more targeted communication strategies.

Practical implications
– The findings of this study point to the strategic role of the brand in generating both satisfaction and loyalty. In the light of increasing advertising costs and decreasing consumer loyalty, strengthening corporate brand symbolism makes a lot of economic sense. The findings suggest that managers need to take into account consumer need for identity expression and consider this in their branding strategies.

Social implications
– Humans are social beings by nature. However, international brand research has paid relatively little attention to how products are used by consumers in everyday life, including their social life. Consumer behaviours increasingly depend on social meanings they imbue brands with beyond products’ functional utility. It is argued the focus of symbolic consumption needs to be broadened and integrated more with social science concepts.

Originality/value
– This study captures a construct of corporate brand symbolism by including self and social aspects of symbolism. The current study also comprehensively measures consumer loyalty, including cognitive, affective and behavioural types of loyalty.
Framework for valuing the utilization of the environment
Authors: Tan Seck 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to apply a methodology (drawn from the literature) to value the environment as a capital.

Design/methodology/approach
– The main analytic framework considered is a factor utilization function, which traditionally deals with labour and manufactured capital. The development of a three-factor function in terms of labour, manufactured capital and environmental capital enables the display of mistaken notions of economic performance.

Findings
– The purpose of this illustration is to identify the patterns of environmental capital utilization as an economy grows. Although there are some differences in the patterns of environment utilization between Australia and Canada, the patterns observed are in line with that of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC).

Practical implications
– This illustration is made with reference to two commodity-driven economies, namely, Australia and Canada. The findings could be used as a point of reference for resource rich economies.

Originality/value
– This paper illustrates an approach for valuing the environment as an economy grows. This approach is applied to two selected resource rich economies and the findings demonstrate traits similar to that of the EKC.
Influence of technological innovation capabilities on product competitiveness
Authors: Liu Lijun , Jiang Zuhua 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to shed light on how technological innovation capabilities (TICs) influence the product competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing enterprises and identify the key technological innovation components.Design/methodology/approach– Quantitative research setting was applied in Chinese Yangtze River Delta. Survey was carried out with 166 responses.Findings– The study reveals that the firm’s strategies capabilities, knowledge resources, fundamental research, application R & D, and manufacturing capabilities have significant influence on the new product development performance and product competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Interestingly, firm’s organizational capabilities and human, finance, and material resource have no significant correlation with the product competitiveness.Practical implications– From a practical perspective, the relationships among TICs enablers, processes, and product competitiveness may provide a clue regarding how firms can promote technological innovation to sustain their competitive advantage. Moreover, the key factors of TICs found in the study are useful for policy makers and managers of Chinese firms to make decision.Originality/value– This study is one of the first studies to apply the structure equation model method to measure the relationship between TICs and product competitiveness under the background of Chinese manufacturing. The results provide a new framework on the how technological innovation capability influence product competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing firms. From a managerial perspective, this study identifies several crucial TICs factors to support product competitiveness, and discusses the implications of these factors for developing organizational strategies that encourage technological innovation.
Value-oriented supply chain risk management: you get what you expect
Authors: Trkman Peter , Oliveira Marcos Paulo Valadares de , McCormack Kevin 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– With the globalisation of supply chains the importance of supply chain risk management (SCRM) has grown considerably. Still, although both researchers and practitioners fully agree on its importance, most companies pay very limited attention to SCRM. The purpose of this paper is to use expectation confirmation theory to investigate the reasons for that.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors use a combination of six mini case studies and a survey of 89 companies to show how a different attitude towards SCRM can lead to greater value from SCRM efforts.

Findings
– In line with the expectation confirmation theory the authors stipulate that the primary reason is in companies’ attitudes towards SCRM. Their main expectation is risk avoidance and not value generation. In such a case, even “successful” SCRM programmes merely confirm such an expectation (e.g. no risk materialised or with a limited impact) and the company continues to avoid risk while limiting the resources for SCRM. It is only when the expected benefit of SCRM is not solely risk avoidance but mainly value generation that increased attention can be expected over time.

Research limitations/implications
– The paper is exploratory in nature. Some of the stipulations in the theoretical part were not fully investigated in the quantitative part. The survey had a relatively small sample and a low-response rate. The constructs used in the survey did not use previously validated questionnaires.

Practical implications
– Companies should focus on changing expectations of their managers and employees regarding SCRM and emphasise the value potentially generated by SCRM.

Originality/value
– Use of expectation confirmation theory to investigate the reasons for limited attention to SCRM, to improve the understanding of attitude towards SCRM and to open many important areas for further research.
The impact of family roles on employee’s attitudes and behaviors
Authors: Boyar Scott L , Wagner Teresa A. , Petzinger Amanda , McKinley Ronald B. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine two important family roles, financial and caregiver, and their impact on four relevant outcome variables: absenteeism, partial absences, employee performance, and life satisfaction; they also explore the intervening impact of core self-evaluations (CSE) among these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data are collected using a questionnaire and actual employee performance data. Hypotheses were assessed in a structural model using LISREL.

Findings
– The results demonstrate the impact of family roles on important outcomes, such as absenteeism and life satisfaction, as well as limited support of the moderating impact of CSE. Further, life satisfaction was significantly impacted by family roles and influenced job performance.

Research limitations/implications
– Although the measures were self-reported, actual job performance data were collected from company records; such a design should limit the risk of common method variance (Podsakoff et al., 2003).

Practical implications
– Two family roles were shown to impact life satisfaction and these were positively moderated by CSE. Therefore, organization can develop family-friendly programs and policies to support employee’s multiple family roles in an effort to increase employee’s levels of life satisfaction and job performance. Incorporating CSE in the hiring process or providing employees with the skills and abilities to enhance their level of CSE should impact job performance.

Originality/value
– The study contributes by assessing family roles using gender-neutral measures that assess level of role engagement. It also incorporates a dispositional variable, CSE, and its relation to family roles and job performance.
A discussion forum on managerial interpersonal skills
Authors: Beenen Gerard , Pichler Shaun 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– Managerial interpersonal skills (MIPS) are widely considered important for management development, yet the nature of MIPS has eluded researchers. The purpose of this paper is to propose five MIPS core skills, giving attention to the role of context, the relationship of MIPS to traits, and implications for training design, assessment and evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors interweave a discussion forum of domain experts (Hillary Anger-Elfenbein, Timothy Baldwin, Paulo Lopes, Bronston T. Mayes, Ronald Riggio, Robert Rubin and David Whetten) with research commentary and implications for management development. The discussion focussed on: first, how do we define MIPS? Second, how important is context for defining, assessing or developing MIPS? Third, are MIPS traits, or skills that can be developed?

Findings
– The authors propose MIPS include five core skills that sequentially build upon one another: managing-self, communicating, supporting, motivating and managing conflict. Although context may impact the importance of each skill across cultures, situations and jobs, the authors offer these skills as a useful starting point for MIPS assessment, training design and evaluation.

Research limitations/implications
– The proposed five core skill model for MIPS needs further research and psychometric validation.

Originality/value
– By proposing MIPS include five specific trainable skills that are relevant across contexts, this paper advances MIPS research, assessment and development.
Improving multidisciplinary clinical discussion on an inpatient mental health ward
Authors: Dallimore Sian , Christie Katharine , Loades Maria 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– Multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinical supervision is being used in many mental health services but at present has not received adequate attention by researchers in order to generate evidence-based approaches. The purpose of this paper is to explore the utility and staff perspectives of an MDT model of clinical supervision in the form of a “Clinical Discussion Group” (CDG) on an acute inpatient mental health ward within the context of the current literature on the components of effective supervision in order to make recommendations for practice.Design/methodology/approach– In total, 12 members of staff working on the ward were interviewed to gather their perspective on attendance, helpful aspects, outcomes, unhelpful aspects, and changes. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.Findings– In total, 11 themes were identified, three within “The Group and how it operates” (attendance, discussion topics and facilitation), five within “Impact and Usefulness” (valued by staff, understanding a case, emotional benefit, learning and working together as a team) and three within “Changes to the Group” (organisation, discussion topic and group outcomes).Originality/value– This paper explores the benefits and challenges of a CDG from the perspective of the staff who attend. It presents some recommendations for good practice which should be of use to managers and supervisors who wish to use team supervision to improve patient outcomes and also makes suggestions for future research in this field.