bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Essential competencies in palliative medicine for neuro-oncologists
Authors: Thomas Alissa A. , Carver Alan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPalliative care is an approach to practicing medicine that addresses symptom management, alleviation of pain, assessment of psychosocial and spiritual distress or suffering, and practical support for patients and their caregivers with a goal of improving quality of life for patients with serious and life-threatening illnesses. Although palliative care has gained acceptance as an important part of comprehensive cancer care at the end of life, early integration of palliative care is less common. Patients with high-grade malignant gliomas have an invariably poor prognosis and high morbidity. With short survival times and complex neurological and systemic symptoms, these patients require palliative care from the time of diagnosis. In this review, we highlight the palliative care needs of neuro-oncology patients at diagnosis, during treatment, and at the end of life. We identify some of the barriers to incorporation of palliative care in standard neuro-oncology practice and equate competency in neuro-oncology with competency in the basic tenets of palliative medicine.
Antiretroviral Effects on Host Lipoproteins Are Associated With Changes in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Levels in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HCV Coinfected Individuals
Authors: Naggie Susanna , Patel Keyur , Yang Lan-Yan , Chow Shein-Chung , Johnson Victoria , Guyton John R. , Muir Andrew J. , Sulkowski Mark , Hicks Charles 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
We evaluated the impact of antiretroviral-induced dyslipidemia on hepatitis C virus (HCV) biogenesis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfected patients. This study used serum samples from antiretroviral-naive HIV/HCV patients initiating their first regimen as part of AIDS Clinical Trials Group study protocols (A5142, A5202). Initiation of antiretrovirals increased most lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. In the multivariable model, changes in apolipoproteins were associated with changes in log10 HCV RNA from baseline to week-24 of therapy. Off-target lipogenic changes need to be considered in the context of liver and other metabolic disease in HIV/HCV patients.
Effect of Switching to Travoprost Preserved With SofZia in Glaucoma Patients With Chronic Superficial Punctate Keratitis While Receiving BAK-preserved Latanoprost
Authors: Aihara Makoto , Ikeda Yoko , Mizoue Shiro , Arakaki Yoshikuni , Kita Naofumi , Kobayashi Satoshi 
Published: May 2015

Purpose:
To assess the effect of switching 1 eye to topical travoprost 0.004% preserved with SofZia (TRAVATAN Z solution) in patients who had chronic superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) in both eyes treated with benzalkonium chloride–preserved latanoprost 0.005% (XALATAN).

Methods:
This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, open-label, comparative 3-month follow-up study. Patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who received XALATAN monotherapy for at least 3 months and had SPK in both eyes were enrolled at 9 facilities. For each patient, 1 eye was randomly selected and switched to TRAVATAN Z solution (T-group); the contralateral control eye was treated with XALATAN (X-group). SPK in 5 corneal regions, conjunctival hyperemia, tear breakup time (TBUT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were examined in a masked manner at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Changes in SPK, hyperemia, TBUT, and IOP were compared within treatment groups and between treatment groups.

Results:
Fifty-six patients completed the study. The frequency of SPK significantly decreased from baseline in the T-group and the X-group at 1 and 3 months (T-group, P<0.001; X-group, P<0.05). In the T-group, SPK scores were significantly improved in 4 corneal regions, excluding the superior region, at 1 and 3 months (all P<0.05), whereas in the X-group, SPK scores were significantly improved only in the temporal region at 1 month and in the inferior region at 3 months (P<0.05 for both). The total SPK score at 1 and 3 months in the T-group was significantly lower compared with the score in the X-group (P=0.0023 and 0.0102, respectively). The SPK score for the superior and central corneal region at 3 months in the T-group was significantly lower compared with the score in the X-group (P=0.0212 and 0.022, respectively). There were no substantial intergroup or intragroup differences in changes from baseline for hyperemia scores, TBUT, or IOP reduction.

Conclusions:
Switching therapy from benzalkonium chloride–preserved latanoprost to travoprost preserved with SofZia ameliorated chronic SPK. There were no clinically relevant changes in hyperemia, TBUT, or IOP.
Voluntary accounting changes and post-earnings announcement drift
Authors: Chen Yi-Ching , Wang Tawei , Seng Jia-Lang 
Published: May 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between voluntary accounting changes (VACs) and post-earnings announcement drift. In addition, the authors examine how accounting choice heterogeneity moderates such association.Design/methodology/approach– The authors collect VAC firms in the US in the period from 1994 to 2008 and identify the heterogeneity of accounting choices between VAC and non-VAC firms. To test the hypotheses, the authors consider a 10-Q filing window and a post-filing drift window. The 10-Q filing window begins from one trading day before and ends on one trading day after the quarterly report filing date. The post-filing drift window begins from two trading days after the filing date and ends on 60 trading days with respect to the earnings announcement date.Findings– The results demonstrate that, overall, VAC does not affect the three-day market reactions to 10-Q filings. However, after taking into account the accounting choice heterogeneity, the authors observe that VAC is positively related to the market reactions to surprises and negatively associated with the post-filing period drift.Originality/value– The paper contributes to the literature by showing that VACs affect the market’s responses to 10-Q filings only when such change results in different accounting practices compared to the VAC firm’s major competitors. Furthermore, given the change with heterogeneity requires more time to process, VACs are related to post-filing announcement drift.
Political competition and environmental reporting
Authors: Mir Monir Zaman , Chatterjee Bikram , Taplin Ross 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between “political competition” and “environmental reporting” by New Zealand local governments.

Design/methodology/approach
– The research method includes a longitudinal analysis of environmental reporting by New Zealand local governments in their annual reports for the financial years 2005-2006 to 2009-2010. “Content analysis” was used to attach scores to the extent of environmental reporting. The “number of candidates divided by the number of available positions at the previous election” was used as the proxy for “political competition”.

Findings
– The study reports a positive relationship between “political competition” and “environmental reporting” in 2007-2008. The number of local governments reporting voluntary environmental information increased in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 compared to 2005-2006, followed by a reduction in such numbers following the 2007-2008 financial year. This trend in disclosure can be attributed to the local government elections in October 2007. This finding is consistent with the expectation of “agency theory” and provides insight into the pattern of perceived agency costs. The study also finds a dearth in reporting “monetary” and “bad” news.

Originality/value
– The study contributes towards the previous literature on environmental reporting by concentrating on the public sector and New Zealand, together with investigating the relationship of such reporting with “political competition” through a longitudinal analysis. The theoretical contribution of this study is the adoption of “agency theory” in the context of public sector voluntary reporting and investigating the significance attached by agents to environmental reporting to minimise agency cost. The practical contribution of the study is in the area of future development of reporting standards in regards to environmental reporting.
Knowledge exchanges in innovation networks: evidences from an Italian aerospace cluster
Authors: Alberti Fernando G. , Pizzurno Emanuele 
Published: May 2015

Purpose– This paper aims at investigating the multifaceted nature of innovation networks by focusing on two research questions: Do cluster actors exchange only one type of innovation-related knowledge? Do cluster actors play different roles in innovation-related knowledge exchange?Design/methodology/approach– This paper builds on data collected at the firm level in an Italian aerospace cluster, that is a technology-intensive industry where innovation is at the base of local competitiveness. A questionnaire was used to collect both attribute data and relational data concerning collaboration and the flows of knowledge in innovation networks. The authors distinguished among three types of knowledge (technological, managerial and market knowledge) and five types of brokerage roles (coordinator, gatekeeper, liaison, representative and consultant). Data analysis relied on social network analysis techniques and software.Findings– Concerning the first research question, the findings show that different types of knowledge flow in different ways in innovation networks. The different types of knowledge are unevenly exchanged. The exchange of technological knowledge is open to everyone in the cluster. The exchange of market and managerial knowledge is selective. Concerning the second research question, the authors suggest that different types of cluster actors (large firms, small- and medium-sized enterprises, research centers and universities and institutions for collaboration) do play different roles in innovation networks, especially with reference to the three types of knowledge considered in this study.Research limitations/implications– The present paper has some limitations. First of all, the analysis focuses on just one cluster (one industry in one specific location), cross- and comparative analyses with other clusters may illuminate the findings better, eliminating industry and geographical biases. Second, the paper focuses only on innovation-related knowledge exchanges within the cluster and not across it.Practical implications– The results have practical implications both for policy makers and for managers. First, this research stresses how innovation often originates from a combination of different knowledge types acquired through the collaboration with heterogeneous cluster actors. Further, the analysis of brokerage roles in innovation-driven collaborations may help policy makers in designing programs for knowledge-transfer partnerships among the various actors of a cluster.Social implications– The paper suggests a clear need of developing professional figures capable of operating at the interface of different knowledge domains.Originality/value– The data illuminate several aspects of how innovation takes place in a cluster opening up intriguing aspects that have been overlooked by extant literature. The authors believe that this may trigger several lines of further research on the topic.
The effect of workers’ ethical attributes on firms’ productivity
Authors: Haq Mirajul , Khan Karim , Saddique Rashida 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to determine whether the ethical attributes of workers or firms affect firms’ productivity or not. There is growing literature that establishes the fact that human capital attributes such as education, skill and experience matter for productivity growth.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors develop a simple theoretical model where we incorporate the ethical attributes of workers. To support our hypothesis, the authors test that model empirically by using the data of 83 handicrafts firms from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

Findings
– The empirical findings of this study substantiate the hypothesis that besides the traditional factors, the workers’ or the firms’ ethical attributes also increase firms’ productivity.

Originality/value
– The study is based on cross-sectional data and is entirely original in its purpose.
Understanding continuance intention of mobile instant messaging
Authors: Gan Chunmei , Li Hongxiu 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the continued usage of mobile instant messaging (IM) from the perspectives of both motivators and inhibitors.

Design/methodology/approach
– To cast light on the motivators and inhibitors of continuance intention (CI) to use mobile IM, 268 responses from Chinese mobile IM users were collected via an online survey.

Findings
– The results suggest that perceived system quality, procedural switching cost and relational switching cost (RSC) positively affect resistance to change (RTC), while perceived user base, perceived quality of communication, RSC and RTC positively affect the CI. Among them, RTC has the greatest effect on the CI, and RSC has the largest effect on RTC.

Originality/value
– Extant research has mainly focussed on the motivators behind the continued usage of mobile services. However, the inhibitors, such as switching cost and RTC, have been less considered in the research on the continued usage of mobile services. Also, only a little research has examined the components of switching costs and how they affect the intention to continue using mobile services. The current study attempts to fill these research gaps.
Impact of organizational culture and computer self-efficacy on knowledge sharing
Authors: Shao Zhen , Wang Tienan , Feng Yuqiang 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact mechanism of organizational culture (OC) on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) user’s explicit and tacit knowledge-sharing behavior in the context of enterprise systems usage.

Design/methodology/approach
– Drawing from social cognitive theory, the authors developed a comprehensive model that integrates OC, computer self-efficacy and employees’ knowledge-sharing behaviors. In total, 343 valid questionnaires were collected from ERP users of 115 firms and structural equation modeling technique was used to test the model.

Findings
– Empirical results suggest that hierarchical culture that focusses on efficacy and uniformity is positively related with employees’ explicit knowledge sharing; group culture that focusses on trust and belonging is positively related with employees’ tacit knowledge sharing, and their relationship is fully mediated by employees’ computer self-efficacy. In addition, computer self-efficacy also partially mediates the relationship between rational culture and employees’ knowledge sharing.

Practical implications
– This study provides guidelines for top managers to enhance employees’ computer self-efficacy and facilitate employees’ knowledge-sharing behavior by developing appropriate type of OC.

Originality/value
– This study unpacks the mediating mechanism between OC and knowledge sharing, and contributes to the academic research of knowledge management in the context of enterprise systems assimilation.
Implementing energy saving measures
Authors: Glumac Brano , Oosterbaan Marieke A. , Schaefer Wim F. , Sulla Kairi 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to propose a decision support tool that would aid decision-makers to implement energy-saving measures efficiently in a corporate real estate.

Design/methodology/approach
– The tool consists of a system dynamic model that allows describing and quantifying the complex interaction between potential maintenance scenarios, external energy factors and case-specific conditions. In addition, to include the uncertainty of some of the input variables related to the external energy factors, Monte Carlo simulation has been applied.

Findings
– A case study of a city hall in The Netherlands showed the usability of the proposed tool. Over the selected period of 20 years, applying the chosen set of interventions, the simulation showed possible gains in the net present value and significant decrease of energy consumption and carbon emission. Municipal officials and consultants verified the tool for energy efficiency.

Research limitations/implications
– Although the tool has proved its functionality in one case study, to test its robustness, additional case studies would be preferable.

Practical implications
– The assessment tool can help organizations in assessing energy-efficient maintenance scenarios that include multiple technical energy efficiency interventions as a part of other maintenance activities.

Originality/value
– There are numerous ways to increase building’s energy efficiency, but a lack of knowledge is often hindering the enhancement of maximal benefits. A tool that would assess both financial and environmental benefits of potential technical intervention would provide useful insights into corporate’s real estate current and possible future energy performance. This would aid corporations in making better decisions regarding finances, and on the long run, it will bring an improved corporate image.
Patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy: values and behaviours
Authors: Elvey Rebecca , Hassell Karen , Lewis Penny , Schafheutle Ellen , Willis Sarah , Harrison Stephen 
Published: May 2015

Purpose– Research on patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy is scarce compared with other health professions and in particular with pharmacists early in their careers. The purpose of this paper is to explore patient-centred professionalism in early career pharmacists and to describe reported behaviours.Design/methodology/approach– This study explored patient-centred professional values and reported behaviours, taking a qualitative approach. In all, 53 early-career pharmacists, pharmacy tutors and pharmacy support staff, practising in community and hospital pharmacy in England took part; the concept of patient-centred professionalism was explored through focus group interviews and the critical incident technique was used to elicit real-life examples of professionalism in practice.Findings– Triangulation of the data revealed three constructs of pharmacy patient-centred professionalism: being professionally competent, having ethical values and being a good communicator.Research limitations/implications– It is not known whether our participants’ perspectives reflect those of all pharmacists in the early stages of their careers. The data provide meaning for the concept of patient-centred professionalism. The work could be extended by developing a framework for wider application. Patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy needs further investigation from the patient perspective.Practical implications– The findings have implications for pharmacy practice and education, particularly around increased interaction with patients.Social implications– The data contribute to a topic of importance to patients and in relation to UK health policy, which allocates more directly clinical roles to pharmacists, which go beyond the dispensing and supply of medicines.Originality/value– The methods included a novel application of the critical incident technique, which generated empirical evidence on a previously under-researched topic.
Preoperative cross functional teams improve OR performance
Authors: Bitter Justin , van Veen-Berkx Elizabeth , van Amelsvoort Pierre , Gooszen Hein 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of the introduction of cross-functional team (CFT)-based organization, rather than, on planning and performance of OR teams.

Design/methodology/approach
– In total, two surgical departments of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center (RUNMC) in the Netherlands were selected to illustrate the effect on performance. Data were available for a total of seven consecutive years from 2005 until 2012 and consisted of 4,046 OR days for surgical Department A and 1,154 OR days for surgical Department B on which, respectively 8,419 and 5,295 surgical cases were performed. The performance indicator “raw utilization” of the two surgical Departments was presented as box-and-whisker plots per year (2005-2011). The relationship between raw utilization (y) and years (x) was analyzed with linear regression analysis, to observe if performance changed over time.

Findings
– Based on the linear regression analysis, raw utilization of surgical Department A showed a statistically significant increase since 2006. The variation in raw utilization reduced from IQR 33 percent in 2005 to IQR 8 percent in 2011. Surgical Department B showed that raw utilization increased since 2005. The variation in raw utilization reduced from IQR 21 percent in 2005 to IQR 8 percent in 2011.

Social implications
– Hospitals need to improve their productivity and efficiency in response to higher societal demands and rapidly escalating costs. The RUNMC increased their OR performance significantly by introduction of CFT-based organization in the operative process and abandoning the so called functional silos.

Originality/value
– The stepwise reduction of variation – a decrease of IQR during the years – indicates an organizational learning effect. This study demonstrates that introducing CFTs improve OR performance by working together as a team.
Hospital leadership perspectives on the contributions of Ronald McDonald Houses
Authors: Lantz Paula M , Rubin Nicole , Mauery D Richard 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe an international survey of hospital executives and administrators’ perspectives on the contributions of their affiliation with a Ronald McDonald House (RMH) as an example of accommodation in family-centered care to the hospital’s mission, operations and patient experience.

Design/methodology/approach
– RMHs worldwide provided the names and e-mail addresses of the people holding key leadership positions in their main hospital partner, who in turn were invited to complete an internet-based survey (530 participants; response rate of 54.5 percent).

Findings
– Hospital leaders reported very positive opinions about the contributions of their RMHs affiliation to their ability to serve seriously ill children and their families. This included such important outcomes as increasing family integrity and family participation in care decisions; and decreasing psychosocial stress and hospital social work resource burdens associated with lodging, food, transportation and sibling support. Hospital chief executive offices (CEOs) and medical directors reported very strong and positive opinions regarding the value-added of their RMHs affiliation in many areas, including enhanced marketing of hospital specialty services and reduced length of stay.

Research limitations/implications
– Survey response bias is a limitation, although the results are still useful in terms of identifying multiple ways in which RMHs are perceived as contributing to hospitals’ operations and provision of family-centered care.

Practical implications
– Overall, the results suggest that, internationally, hospital leaders believe that RMHs play a key and valued role in their provision of family-centered care to seriously ill children and their families.

Social implications
– Family accommodation is more than the simple provision of lodging and plays an integral role how hospitals approach family-centered care.

Originality/value
– This international study contributes to the general literature on the role of family accommodation in hospitals’ provision of family-centered care and the specific and very sparse literature on RMHs in particular.